03/21/2025
By Kwok Fan Chow
The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a Ph.D. Research Proposal defense by Porvajja Nagarajan titled, “Bismuth-Directed Synthesis of Geometric Gold Nanostructures for Feedstock Transformation Reactions.”
Location: Olney, Room 518
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Time: 1 p.m.
Committee Chair:
Professor.Michael B. Ross, Department of Chemistry, UMass Lowell
Committee Members:
Professor David Ryan, Department of Chemistry, UMass Lowell
Professor Fanglin Che, Department of Chemical Engineering, UMass Lowell
Professor Kwok-Fan Chow, Department of Chemistry, UMass Lowell
Abstract:
The systematic engineering of functional materials with custom-defined structure and properties represents a fundamental objective at the intersection of material science and catalysis. Through comprehensive investigation of nucleation and growth principles, bismuth-directed gold nanoarchitectures were synthesized, constituting a sophisticated class of wet-chemical synthesis that enables morphological control and functional versatility. Using integrated analytical techniques combined with advanced X-ray measurements, we have mapped the growth of these complex nanostructures during formation process. Preliminary results show remarkable renewable feedstock transformation reactions reflecting multi-step electron redox processes. These findings validate the essential geometry in enhancing the efficacy of heterogeneous reaction acceleration. Future research will focus on establishing the fundamental structure-activity relationships and adapting these nanomaterials for medium-scale electrocatalytic systems to maximize selectivity and productivity in sustainable energy applications.
All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.