Projects

Successful industrial uses of synthetic versions of chabazite (CHA), such as a catalyst for the methanol-to-olefins reaction (SAPO-34) and as a catalyst support for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (Cu-SSZ-13), reveal that the discovery of new zeolites and molecular sieves is valuable for advancing catalytic applications. The CHA topology is one of the framework types in the ABC-6 family, which is built by stacking of 6-ring ...

Small-pore zeolites (SPZ) are promising catalysts for CO2 valorization processes and have lately emerged in the cascade transformation of CO2-to-olefins (C2O). Their outstanding activity is attributed to their acid properties, however, the common methods to analyze acidity (pyridine adsorption with FT-IR) cannot apply to SPZ due to steric effects that limits pyridine diffusion into the inner porosity. In this project, we propose novel methods ...

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 28 times stronger than CO2, and has the second largest contribution to anthropogenic global warming after CO2. Remediation of methane in common emission streams is challenging because 1) the methane concentrations are often dilute, 2) methane is relatively difficult to oxidize, and 3) many processes leading to methane emissions are difficult to replace with alternative technology. In this project we propose ...

The activation of small molecules encompasses some of the most pressing challenges in catalysis. It relates to the upgrading of abundant molecules (O2, N2, CH4) for use in chemical industry, but also the remediation of malignant molecules (NOx, CO, greenhouse gases CO2, N2O, CH4). In this proposal I will use reactive oxygen species (ROS) in zeolites to achieve small molecule activation. Such zeolitic ROS are known on Cu and Fe exchanged ...

Methane is mainly valorized via a conversion to syngas, a mixture of H2 and CO, which serves as an intermediate towards useful chemicals such as methanol and hydrocarbons. These processes operate under harsh and energy-intensive conditions and are therefore only profitable when carried out on a large scale. This impedes an on-site valorization of small-scale, remote natural gas sources. The alternative solution of transporting ...

C-H Activation allows for a more cost-effective and sustainable functionalization of aromatics. Its industrial implementation is however hampered by a low regioselectivity, by the use of costly stoichiometric oxidants, or by the hazardous use of pressurized oxygen. In this proposal, we build upon our previous discovery of shape-selectivity in the oxidative arene-arene coupling, catalyzed by Pd-zeolites. The zeolite-coordinated Pd is capable ...

Recently methane has become a focus point in the frontier against global warming. It is abundantly released into the atmosphere via dilute streams where its capture is uneconomical with existing technology. Reactive capture of methane, converting it to oxidation products like methanol, or the much less powerful greenhouse gas CO2, is an emerging strategy. For this, copper and iron supported on zeolites are promising catalysts. On the zeolite ...

Zeolites are an important class of nanoporous materials, whereof the mechanism of formation is not yet fully understood. Developing a novel diagnostic means to study their crystallization in an innovative synthesis medium, MEmeZe will increase knowledge on the molecular steps leading to the formation of aluminosilicate zeolites. Prior studies revealed ion-paired prenucleation clusters present in hydrated silicate ionic liquids (HSILs)can ...

The project develops innovative heterogeneous catalytic technology for the upcycling of nitrogencontaining polymers, viz. amine-cured epoxy resins and polyamides, to linear primary amines. We aim at splitting amine-cured epoxy resins, as widely used in windmill blades, into high-value amines from which fresh epoxies can be made, avoiding the formation of bisphenols. The approach starts with a liquefaction of the solid ...