ZEOCATALYST · Development of Multifunctional Zeolites for the Amelioration of Biomass Catalysis by Measuring and Understanding Synergistic Effects of Catalytic Active Sites

Development of Multifunctional Zeolites for the Amelioration of Biomass Catalysis by Measuring and Understanding Synergistic Effects of Catalytic Active Sites

Custom manufacturing of fine chemicals such as fuels, solvents, additives and value-added functional materials is a vital part of modern industrial chemistry. Increasing demand for the production of such chemicals and materials necessitates the development of sustainable approaches. Biomass valorization is a potential solution to this problem; however, several challenges must be overcome to efficiently transform highly cross-linked biopolymers into desired chemicals using different valorization routes. The main goal of ZEOCATALYST project was to gain molecular level insight into the biomass valorization processes including zeolite based heterogenous catalysis and biomass derived functional materials. The other objectives of this project were to tackle the issues associated with the other valorizations routes including: (a) preparation of cationic and protonic functional zeolites using post-synthesis hydrothermal modification approaches, (b) measuring and understanding local compositions and structures of catalytic active sites on surfaces, (c) determination of catalytic activity of multifunctional zeolites for the conversion of biomass-derived compounds into fine chemicals, and (d) the amelioration of different biomass valorisation routes by investigating local compositions and structures using high field solid-state NMR spectroscopy. In doing so, we combined synthesis and multiscale characterization techniques from surface-to-bulk (electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, porosity measurements using BET isotherms, 1D and 2D solid-state (ss)NMR techniques) in order to understand the catalytic activity and stability of zeolites under hydrothermal catalytic reactions. Apart from the scientific objectives, fostering the development of the fellow’s career prospects is also one of the project's key objectives. Project objectives were met: material design, multiscale characterization, new soft materials and ssNMR spectroscopy enabled the fundamental knowledge, which will obviously expedite the biomass conversion and valorization pathways. In the broader context, the scientific outcomes from the project will be of substantial interest to researchers in synthesis, catalysis, biomass pretreatment, functional materials, chemical engineering, and characterization chemistry, particularly with respect to understanding nanoscale structures that drive catalytic activity, reaction yields and functional properties. Therefore, this project enabled significant impact not only in the area of biomass, but also for energy and environmental materials, which is expected to stimulate further research in these areas for the years to come.

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