- PhD (Doctorate) with specialization in Heterogeneous Catalysis from Cochin University of Science and Technology in 2010Title: “Studies on the preparation of supported nickel catalysts using bis(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) complexes as precursors”Description: The main objective of the work is to identify which properties of the precursor will influence the final structure and performance of the catalyst. We selected diaquabis(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) complexes with varying counter ions as the precursor salts. The chelating nature of the precursors, the viscosity of the impregnating solutions and the decomposition of the complexes in presence of the counter ions are the important properties which affects the structure and reactivity of the supported catalysts, when such precursors are used. The properties of nickel oxide derived from the complexes were studied in detail. One of the precursor bis(ethylenediamine)nickel(II)nitrate yielded phase pure nano nickel on decomposition. Reduction kinetics of the nickel oxides were studied in detail using nonisothermal TG-DTG methods. The impregnation studies on g-Al2O3 pellets revealed that nearly uniform distribution of active sites was achieved with the ethylenediamine complexes with acetate counter ions due to the high viscosity and low deposition rate of the impregnating solutions. The precursors were used to prepare supported nickel catalysts on a-Al2O3, g-Al2O3 and MgO. The surface area and reduction properties of bare NiO and supported NiO depended on the precursor salts. The nickel aluminate formation and NiO-MgO solid solution formation was minimal with the use of chelating precursors. The activities for Cyclohexanol decomposition, Benzene hydrogenation, Cyclohexane dehydrogenation and n-butanal hydrogenation were correlated with physicochemical properties of the catalysts.
- M.Tech (Industrial Catalysis) from Cochin University of Science and Technology in 1998 with 77%
- Thesis: “Supported Palladium Catalysts for Carbon Monoxide Oxidation: Effect of preparation parameters on Activity and Dispersion”. Pd/supported on gamma alumina prepared with anionic and cationic impregnation. Effect of ceria promoter on CO oxidation was studied
Affiliated to the University of Calicut
Reaccredited by NAAC with 'A' grade