UD chemical engineer honored for excellence in catalysis

Jingguang Chen, Claire D. LeClaire Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware, has won the 2008 Award for Excellence in Catalysis from the Catalysis Society of Metropolitan New... Click here for more information.

Jingguang Chen, the Claire D. LeClaire Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware, has won the 2008 Award for Excellence in Catalysis from the Catalysis Society of Metropolitan New York.

Chen will receive a plaque and a cash gift at the society's awards ceremony on May 21 in Somerset, N.J., where he will also present an Excellence in Catalysis Award lecture.

Chen is being recognized by the society “for his work in understanding the physical and chemical properties of bimetallic and metal carbide surfaces, which has inspired new applications of fundamental studies to catalytic and fuel cell processes.”

Catalysts increase the rate of chemical reactions. Bimetallic catalysts, which are formed by combining atoms of two metals, possess unique physical, chemical and electronic properties unlike those of either parent metal. They are used in numerous applications, including in fuel cells, where they facilitate the reaction of oxygen and hydrogen, to petroleum refining.

Metal carbides, such as tungsten carbide, are characterized by catalytic properties similar to precious metals. They also often demonstrate better resistance to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a problem that scientists are working to conquer to make fuel cells more efficient and less expensive to produce.