Title:    Model-based Metal/Support Catalyst Materials Design for Sustainable Resource Conversion: CO2, Nitrogen and Biomass

Time:     2025-03-31 15:00

Lecturer:  Blaž Likozar

Department of Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering,

National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Venue:    Room 202, Lu-Jiaxi Building

Abstract：

Multi-functional catalysis design can be optimized through multi-scale modeling to tailor composition, structure, and morphology for CO₂, nitrogen, and biomass valorization. The hierarchical changes in Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ during methanol synthesis hinder process optimization, with activity closely linked to Cu–Zn interactions. Experimental studies using BET, XRD, STEM-EDS, XPS, H₂ TA, and N₂O PSO methods investigate these behaviors. Storing and transporting pressurized or liquid hydrogen is expensive and hazardous. As a result, safer methods, such as chemical storage in ammonia, are becoming increasingly important. Ammonia decomposition is explored via electrified, magnetically heated Ru-based catalysts for on-demand hydrogen release. Biomass valorization, particularly lignin hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), is analyzed using eugenol as a model, evaluating noble (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru) and non-noble (Ni, Cu) metals on various supports (Al₂O₃, SiO₂, SiO₂-Al₂O₃, TiO₂, HZSM-5) at different temperatures and pressures. The presentation will thus conclude with bifunctional metallic-acidic mechanisms of eugenol HDO.