90231 - CATALYSIS FOR GREEN PROCESSES

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the students will have the basic knowledge of the importance of catalysis and specific catalytic applications in green chemistry and green/sustainable processes. Moreover, the students will learn how to study, choose and evaluate preparation methods for synthesizing materials with controlled morphology that affect activity, yield, stability and prevent deactivation phenomena during catalytic processes. Finally, and one of the most important new trends in the area of catalysis, the students are expected to develop understanding and critical evaluation of ex situ and in situ/operando techniques and acquire skills to evaluate and design the proper strategy for developing structure-activity relations.

Course contents

Pre-requisites

Fundamentals of thermodynamics and kinetics.

Fundamentals of basic industrial chemistry.

Fundamentals of organic and inorganic chemistry.

Contents

1. Synthesis, design and catalytic application of materials.
2. Green chemistry, biomass-derived processes.
3. Examples of sustainable, (photo)catalytic processes.
4. Characterization of materials.
5. Ex-situ and in situ/operando techniques for understanding structure-activity relations.

 

Specifically, this course is focused on the following areas:

1. Understanding the basic concepts and importance of heterogeneous catalysis and how catalysis can be used effectively as a toolbox for Green chemistry and sustainable chemical processes.
2. Important areas of catalysis, such as catalytic, photocatalytic and biomass-derived processes will be presented and discussed. Case studies based on important catalytic processes will be presented throughout the course.
3. Preparation methods for the design of effective catalysts will be presented focusing on the synthesis of functionalized nanomaterials with controlled size, shape and composition, zeolites and multicomponent oxides.
4. The study of catalytic materials is commonly approached from three standpoints. One is focused on the catalyst preparation, the second one is focused on catalyst characterization and ultimately the third one is focused on the evaluation of catalytic performance through reaction kinetic studies. It is essential to follow these steps to understand/optimize the performance of a catalyst and eventually of improving a catalyzed industrial chemical process. Therefore, modern techniques for characterizing materials and understanding structure-activity relationships will be presented. Ex situ and in-situ/operando techniques and methodologies/strategies to evaluate structure–performance relations will be presented with specific examples.
5. At the end of the course the student is expected to acquire knowledge and skills in the following topics:

• To understand the importance of catalysis and specific application in green chemistry and green/sustainable processes.
• To understand how catalysis can occur.
• To understand the importance and mechanism of (photo) catalytic processes.
• To study the use of a range of catalytic processes with the aim of improving the environmental impact of chemical manufacture.
• To study applications of catalysts especially in environmental related areas.
• To study and evaluate preparation methods for synthesizing materials with controlled morphology that affect activity, yield, stability and prevent deactivation phenomena.
• Develop understanding and critical evaluation of ex situ and in situ/operando techniques and acquire skills to evaluate and design the proper strategy for structure-activity relations. Develop understanding of Green catalytic technologies including biomass valorization.
• Develop aspects of teamwork and transferable skills in students.

Readings/Bibliography

It is not necessary to purchase specific textbooks. Teaching material (power point presentations, book chapters, scientific articles) will be available on line.

F. Cavani, S. Albonetti, F. Basile, A. Gandini eds "Chemicals and Fuels from Bio-Based Building Blocks" 2016, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

G. Centi, R. A. van Santen "Catalysis for Renewables: From Feedstock to Energy Production" 2007 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

Teaching methods

Lectures with power point presentation. Practical examples will be presented during the course.

Assessment methods

The exam is done through a final test aimed at ascertaining the expected acquisition of knowledge and skills. The final exam consists of an oral test.

Teaching tools

Power point presentation. Copies of the presentation will be provided, via internet access.

Office hours

See the website of Nikolaos Dimitratos