John R. Monnier

Research Professor

Dr. Monnier’s research interests focus on heterogeneous catalysis, ranging from catalyst design and synthesis to characterization and evaluation. Current interests are in the design and synthesis of novel bimetallic catalysts for the selective transformation of hydrocarbons to higher value chemicals. Bimetallic catalysts afford great opportunities for changing performance, either by changing the catalyst surfaces into ensembles of catalytic sites that permit only selected reaction pathways, or alternatively by introducing bifunctionality to the active surface by placing different catalytic metals in close physical proximity.

Dr. Monnier utilizes electroless deposition methods to selectively deposit the second component of a bimetallic catalyst onto the other metallic component. This assures formation of bimetallic catalysts, rather than aggregates of individual monometallic particles. Reactions used to evaluate these catalysts include selective hydrogenation of bifunctional olefins (e.g., 3, 4-epoxy-1-butene), which contain two distinctly different functional groups, a C=C double bond and an epoxide group. By proper composition of the bimetallic catalyst it is possible in principle to design catalysts selective only to one of the two functional groups. The second reaction of interest to Dr. Monnier is the selective, gas phase epoxidation of allylic olefins, such as propylene, using molecular oxygen. By proper design and synthesis, it should be possible to markedly improve the selectivity to the desired olefin epoxide by lowering combustion to CO2 and H2O.

Other areas of interest include synthesis and evaluation of improved catalysts for the anodic and cathodic processes of H2 and O2 fuel cells and the design and utilization of supported Au catalysts for selective oxidation reactions.

Education

• Ph. D., Physical Chemistry & Heterogeneous Catalysis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1978)
• M. S., Physical Chemistry & Heterogeneous Catalysis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1972)
• B. S., Chemistry, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA (1970)

Selected Publications

• J. R. Monnier, J. W. Medlin and Y.-J. Kuo, "Selective Isomerization of 2,5-Dihydrofuran to 2,3-Dihydrofuran Using CO-Modified, Supported Pd Catalysts," Appl. Catal. A, 194-195, 463-474 (2000).
• J. R. Monnier, J. W. Medlin and M. A. Barteau, “Use of Oxygen-18 to Determine the Kinetics of Butadiene Epoxidation Over Cs-Promoted, Ag Catalysts,” J. Catal., 203, 362-368 (2001).
• J. W. Medlin, J. R. Monnier and M. A. Barteau, “Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effects in Butadiene Epoxidation Over Unpromoted and Cs-Promoted Silver Catalysts,” J. Catal., 204, 71 (2001).
• J. R. Monnier, K. T. Peters and G. W. Hartley, “The Selective Epoxidation of Conjugated Olefins Containing Allylic Substituents and Epoxidation of Propylene in the Presence of Butadiene,” J. Catal., 225, 374 (2004).
• J. R. Monnier, J. L. Stavinoha, Jr. and G. W. Hartley, Effects of Chlorine and Chlorine Dynamics During Silver-Catalyzed Epoxidation of Butadiene,” J. Catal., 226, 321 (2004).