Research Projects

This proposal aims to create a new generation geopolymer catalyst using a modified ion exchange process. Geopolymer is a cheap and amorphous analogue to zeolites, with similar framework and structural properties. However, its use in catalysis is limited, with most applications in environmental cleaning. The proposed method aims to convert geopolymer into a potential catalyst for heterogeneous solid-liquid organic transformation. The ion exchange process, a common method in zeolite catalysis, is modified to reduce the ion exchange time to 10-12 hours, making it an active catalyst for liquid-solid organic transformation. The proposed process targets reactions catalyzed by noble metal ions like Pd and Pt, which are expensive and expensive homogeneous catalysts. The ion exchanged geopolymer with noble metal ions is economical, as the concentration of metal ions is low and recyclable catalysts can be reused. The proposed reaction includes C-C coupling, C-heteroatom coupling, and hydrogenation reaction. Preliminary investigation indicates that the modified ion exchange process using PdCl2 results in a useful geopolymer catalyst with Pd2+ in its framework and is highly active for the Suzuki coupling reaction.