Johannes W. Schwank

Director, REFRESCH

University of Innsbruck, Austria
PhD Chemistry ’78
BS Chemistry ’75

Our research program is focused on fundamental and applied research problems in heterogeneous catalysis, sensors, and energy storage materials. A major theme is the development of correlations between surface structure of materials and their reactivity. The laboratories are equipped with comprehensive catalyst and materials characterization facilities.

In the area of heterogeneous catalysis, we focus on correlations between the catalyst structure and composition and catalytic function in reactions of industrial importance. Principles of nucleation, clustering, and growth of small particles on support materials are under investigation, with emphasis on bimetallic catalyst systems and oxide catalysts. Of particular interest are geometric and electronic interactions between catalyst components as a means to modify catalytic activity and selectivity. A major thrust of our research efforts is the characterization of supported catalysts by analytical and high-resolution electron microscopy. The microstructural characterization results are then brought into context with X-ray diffraction, atomic absorption, neutron activation analysis, gas chemisorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data. In-situ spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy are utilized to monitor adsorbed surface species under reaction conditions. These characterization data are then used to interpret kinetic results for hydrogen or oxygen transfer reactions obtained in flow reactors. Current catalysis projects include autothermal reforming of hydrocarbons, direct reforming solid oxide fuel cell catalysts, automotive emission control catalysis, Fischer-Tropsch catalysis, partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, photocatalytic oxidation and water splitting, and biomass conversion.

In the area of sensors, our group has developed microelectronic gas sensors for a wide range of important applications, from monitoring the purity of microelectronic processing gases to environmental sensing and automotive exhaust gas sensing and diesel particulate sensing. Chemical species are detected on the basis of several principles, including gas adsorption-induced resistance and work function changes.

In the energy storage area, we work on synthesis and characterization of battery electrode materials, with special focus on prototyping of multivalent intercalation cathode materials.

ChE 230 – Thermodynamics I
ChE 342 – Heat and Mass Transfer
ChE 344 – Reaction Engineering and Design
ChE 460 – Chemical Engineering Laboratory II
ChE 470 – Colloids and Interfaces
ChE 485 – Chemical Engineering Process Economics
ChE 486 – Chemical Process Simulation and Design I
ChE 487 – Chemical Process Simulation and Design
ChE 496 – Selected Topics: Hydrogen Technology I
ChE 542 – Intermediate Transport Phenomena
ChE 628 – Industrial Catalysis
ChE 696 – Selected Topics: Chemical Sensors
ChE 696 – Selected Topics: Fuel Cells and Fuel Processors
ChE 696 – Selected Topics: Hydrogen Technology
ChE 696 – Selected Topics: Fossil and Renewable Fuels
ChE 697 – Problems in Chemical Engineering: Thin Films and Catalysis

• Fellow, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2017
• U-M Chemical Engineering Department Excellence Award, 2005
• College of Engineering Excellence in Service Award, 1996
• Giuseppe Parravano Award for Excellence in Catalysis Research, 1994
• Research Excellence Award, College of Engineering, U of M, 1989
• Class of 1938 E Distinguished Service Award, U of M, 1986

• “Pd model catalysts: Effect of aging environment and lean redispersion,” Jason A. Lupescu, Johannes W. Schwank, Kevin A. Dahlberg, Chang Yup Seo, Galen B. Fisher, Sabrina L. Peczonczyk, Kevin Rhodes, Mark J. Jagner, Larry P. Haack, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 183 (2016) 343-360.
• “Pd model catalysts: Effect of aging duration on lean redispersion,” Jason A. Lupescu, Johannes W. Schwank, Galen B. Fisher, Xiaoyin Chen, Sabrina L. Peczonczyk, Andrew R. Drews, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 185 (2016) 189-202.
• “Synthesis and evaluation of mesopore structured ZSM-5 and CuZSM-5 catalyst for NH₃-SCR reaction: Studies of simulated exhaust and engine bench testing,” Zhenguo Li, Junhua Li, Tao Zhang, Wenkang Su, Huazhen Chang, Xiaoning Ren, Shuangxi Liu, Jidong Gao, Xiaoyin Chen, Johannes W. Schwank. RSC Advances 6 (104) (2016) 102570-102581.
• “Liquid phase oxydehydration of glycerol to acrylic acid over supported silicotungstic acid catalyst: Influence of reaction parameters,” Sarawalee Thanasilp, Johannes W. Schwank, Vissanu Meeyoo, Sitthiphong Pengpanich, Mali Hunsom, Silpakorn U Science &Tech J 10 (2016) 9-21.
• “Next generation three-way catalysts for future, highly efficient engines,” Christine Lambert, Todd Toops, Johannes Schwank, EERE Propulsion Materials, (P. Davis, E. Owens, J. Gibbs, Ed.) December 2016, 142-147.
• “New approaches to water purification for resource-constrained settings: Production of activated biochar by chemical activation with diammonium hydrogenphosphate,” Mohit Nahata, Chang Yup Seo, Pradeep Krishnakumar, Johannes Schwank. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng. 12 (2018) 194-208, DOI: 10.1007/s11705-017-1647-x (2017).
• “Facile, one-pot synthesis of Pd@CeO₂ core@shell nanoparticles in aqueous environment by controlled hydrolysis of metalloorganic cerium precursor,” ChangYup Seo, Eongyu Yi, Mohit Nahata, Richard M. Laine, Johannes W. Schwank, Materials Letters 206 (2017), 105-108.
• “Indium-doped Co₃O₄ nanorods for catalytic oxidation of CO and C₃H₆ towards diesel exhaust,”
  Lei Ma, Chang Yup Seo, Xiaoyin Chen, Kai Sun, Johannes W. Schwank, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 222 (2018) 44-58 ; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.10.001
• “Pd Model Catalysts: Effect of Air Pulse Length during Redox Aging on Pd Redispersion,” Jason A. Lupescu, Johannes W. Schwank, Galen B. Fisher, Jon Hangas, Sabrina L. Peczonczyk, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 223 (2018) 76-90 DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.07.055
• “Palladium redispersion at high temperature within the Pd@SiO₂ core@shell structure,” Chang Yup Seo, Xiaoyin Chen, Kai Sun, Lawrence F. Allard, Galen B. Fisher, Johannes W. Schwank, Catalysis Communications 108 (2018) 73-76 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catcom.2018.01.027
• “Shape dependence and sulfate promotion of CeO₂ for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH₃,” Lei Ma, Chang Yup Seo, Mohit Nahata, Xiaoyin Chen, Johannes W. Schwank, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 232 (2018) 246-259. DOI 10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.03.065
• “Sodium-promoted Ag/CeO₂ nanospheres for catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde,” Lei Ma, Chang Yup Seo, Xiaoyin Chen, Junhua Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Chemical Engineering Journal 350 (2018) 419-428.
• “Fe₂O₃@SiTi core@shell catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with NH₃: activity improvement and HCl tolerance,” Huazhen Chang, Tao Zhang, Hao Dang, Xiaoyin Chen, Yanchen You, Johannes W. Schwank, Junhua Li, Catalysis Science &Technology 8 (2018) 3313-3320.
• “Intuguard – A novel, thin and hard dental guard for intubations, rigid endoscopies, and transoral procedures that eliminates transfer of impact forces to the teeth”, Jan Akervall; Valarie Thomas; Dan Nicoli; Johannes W. Schwank, American Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery 1 (2018) 1004
• “Effect of Sn addition on improving the stability of Ni-Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 anode material for solid oxide fuel cells fed with dry CH₄,” Ping Li, Zhiming Wang, Xueli Yao, Nianjun Hou, Lijun Fan, Tian Gan, Yicheng Zhao, Yongdan Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Catalysis Today 330 (2019) 209-216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2018.04.030
• “Reactivity study of CO+NO reaction on Pd/Al₂O₃ and Pd/CeZrO₂ catalysts,” Xiaoyin Chen, Yimeng Lyu, Uzoma Nwabara, Johannes W. Schwank, Catalysis Today 323 (2019) 148-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2018.07.005
• “A review on oxygen storage capacity of CeO₂-based materials: influence factors, measurement techniques,” and applications in reactions related to catalytic automotive emissions control”, Ping Li, Xiaoyin Chen, Yongdan Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Catalysis Today 327 (2019) 90 -115.
• “Effect of Ce and La dopants in Co₃O₄ nanorods on the catalytic activity of CO and C3H6 oxidation,” Ping Li, Xiaoyin Chen, Ma Lei, Adarsh Bhat, Yongdan Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Catal. Sci. Technol., 9 (2019) 1165-1177.
• “Selective review of reactions and catalysts important in automotive emission control,” Galen Fisher, Chang Yup Seo, Xiaoyin Chen, Johannes W. Schwank, Abstracts of papers of the American Chemical Society 257 (2019) 77.
• “Catalytic performance and reaction mechanism of NO oxidation over Co₃O₄ catalysts,” Lei Ma, Wei Zhang, Yang-Gang Wang, Xiaoyin Chen, Weiting Yu, Kai Sun, Haiping Sun, Junhua Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 267 (2020) 118371; 10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.118371.
• “Thermally induced restructuring of Pd@CeO₂ and Pd@SiO₂ nanoparticles as a strategy for enhancing low-temperature catalytic activity,” Alexander J. Hill, Chang Yup Seo, Xiaoyin Chen, Adarsh Bhat, Galen B. Fisher, Andrej Lenert, and Johannes W. Schwank, ACS Catal. 10 (2020) 1731-1741, DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b05224
• “Electronic metal-support interactions in Pt/FeOx nanospheres for CO oxidation”, Lei Ma, Xiaoyin Chen, Junhua Li, Hiazhen Chang, Johannes W. Schwank, Catal. Today (in press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2019.06.055, available online 20 June 2019.
• “Catalytic oxidation of CO over Pt/Fe₃O₄ catalysts: Tuning O2 activation and CO adsorption”, Zihao Li, Yang Geng, Xiaoyin Chen, Junhua Li, Huazhen Chang, Johannes W Schwank, Front. Environ, Sci. Eng 14 (2020) 65-73.
• “Activation of passive NO adsorbers by pretreatment of reaction gas mixture”, Qingjun Yu, Xiaoyin Chen, Adarsh Bhat, Xiaolong Tang, Honghong Yi, Xiongchao Lin, Johannes W. Schwank, Chemical Engineering Journal 399 (2020) 125727 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.125727
• “Reaction mechanism of propane oxidation over Co₃O₄ nanorods as rivals of platinum catalysts”, Lei Ma, Yang Geng, Xiaoyin Chen, Naiqiang Yan, Junhua Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Chemical Engineering Journal 402 (2020) 125911
• “Effect of preparation methods on the catalytic activity of La0.9Sr0.1CoO3 perovskite for CO and C₃H₆ oxidation”, Ping Li, Xiaoyin Chen, Yongdan Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Catal. Today (in press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2020.03.012, available online March 10, 2020.
• “Understanding the chemistry during the preparation of Pd/SSZ-13 for the low-temperature NO adsorption: The role of NH₄-SSZ-13 support”, Huawang Zhao, Xiaoyin Chen, Adarsh Bhat, Yongdan Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 282 (2021), 119611
• “Insight into hydrothermal aging effect on deactivation of Pd/SSZ-13 as low-temperature NO adsorption catalyst: Effect of dealumination and Pd mobility”, Huawang Zhao, Xiaoyin Chen, Adarsh Bhat, Yongdan Li, Johannes W. Schwank, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 119874 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119874