Controlling properties of zeolites
Enhancement of the functionality of zeolitic catalysts represents one of the feasible ways to more efficient handling of natural resources such as oil and natural gas during processing of hydrocarbons and to better emissions control.
Our research deals with platforms for zeolite catalysts with increased functionality of the acid sites (Brønsted OH groups) and ions of transition metals (Fe, Cu and Co) as active sites for important catalytic processes of hydrocarbon processing and emission control, respectively.
Creating and mastering structure of hierarchical zeolites to design advanced zeolitic catalyst
Developments in the synthesis of hierarchical zeolites with micro-mesoporous structure for catalytic applications have opened new possibilities for creating and mastering structure of active sites and their local environments in order to improve pore accessibility and molecular transport of reactants and thus enhance catalytic efficiency.
Our exploratory effort is centred on tailored synthesis, structural and kinetic analysis of micro-mesoporous zeolite catalysts with the enhanced access to the active sites located in the inner part of the crystal. The research is focused on:
Micro-mesoporous structure
Channel size and connectivity
Level of structural defectivity
Journal of Catalysis 364 (2018) 262–270. Applied Catalysis A: General, 562 (2018) 159-172. ACS Catalysis 7 (2017) 5781-5795. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition 52 (2013) 2038-2041. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 143 (2011) 87-96.
Governance of active sites in acid-catalysed reactions
The acidic active sites (Brønsted OH groups) located inside zeolite micropores are exploited in the shape-selective control of reaction selectivity with impressive large-scale applications in petroleum refining, petrochemicals and aromatics processing, and production of synthetic fuels and olefins.
Our research on acid zeolites is focused on the following areas:
Concentration and strength of Brønsted sites
Spacious arrangement of acid sites
Concentration and nature of Lewis sites
Internal silanols
Applied Catalysis A, General 591 (2020) 117379. Applied Catalysis A: General 533 (2017) 28-37. Journal of Catalysis 318 (2014) 22-33. Journal of Catalysis 254 (2008) 180-189.
Enhancement of the concentration and functionality of active sites redox-catalysed reactions
Activity of zeolite catalysts for abatement of NOx emissions from automotive transportation and industry are given by the versatile redox state and open coordination sphere of ions of transition metals as active sites.
We use the M/M-oxo counter-ions (Fe and Cu) with appropriate redox properties for development of catalysts with enhanced specific activities and the concentration of active sites for the reduction of nitrogen oxides. Recently, we opened the question of whether the low-temperature oxidation activity of Cu and Fe clusters in zeolites can be employed for the abatement of emissions of methane and, in general, of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Our research focuses on understanding the following parameters:
Oxidation state
Nuclearity
Coordination
Reducibility
Spacious arrangement
ACS Catalysis 10 (2020) 3984−4002, Applied Catalysis B, Environmental 189 (2016) 65-74, Journal of Catalysis 332 (2015) 201–211, Journal of Catalysis 318 (2014) 22–33, Journal of Catalysis 312 (2014) 123–138, Journal of Catalysis 299 (2013) 188-203.