Overview
Topic status: In progress
Overview
Formaldehyde is a large volume chemical produced from the oxidation of methanol. Formaldehyde is mainly used for the synthesis of formaldehyde based resins which find widespread application as a glue for particleboard, MDF and plywood products. Formaldehyde is made by either of two catalytic processes:
- silver catalyst process using excess methanol, or
- mixed metal oxide process using excess air.
The silver process is the most popular and the catalysts used is polycrystalline silver made by metal refiners. Prof. Millar invented optimised silver catalysts which have been commercially sold for the past 12 years. The key invention was the discovery that crystal growth could be controlled by creation of a silver-diammine complex during the electrochemical synthesis step. It would be commercially advantageous if a simple analytical means could be found to measure the concentration of this complex in solution as it varies with time. As the concentration varies, the silver crystal properties change dramatically and lead to a product which is not optimal.
Research activities
The student will focus on the development of a method to monitor the concentration of silver-diammine complex in solution as a function of time. In addition, other important parameters such as solution pH, silver ion concentration, presence of other metal ions, cell current/voltage will also be studied.
Expected outcomes
The project objectives are:
• to learn about the critical factors for silver catalyst preparation
• to identify an analytical method for monitoring silver-diammine complex formation
• to develop an understanding of electrochemical synthesis of catalysts
• to gain an insight into the global formaldehyde industry.
Duration of project
Up to 8 weeks; specific times can be tailored to the individual needs of the student (generally between the hours of 9am and 5pm) within the general time period mid-November 2011 to mid-February 2012.
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor for enquiries.
Professor Graeme Millar
