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:

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:

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: