Objective The project is focused on the preparation, characterization and application of (hydro)thermally stable, homogeneous, andporous metallosilicate catalysts. As a synthetic route we will apply non-hydrolytic sol-gel routes since they produce materialswith high homogeneity and they allow the one-step functionalization of the oxides surface. We will focus and demonstrateour results primarily on the synthesis of alumosilicates, and then broaden the work to Zr-, Ti-, Nb-, and Ta-doped silicates.We will use advanced analytic techniques for the characterization of heterogeneous catalysts – infrared spectroscopy, solidstate nuclear magnetic resonance, nitrogen and ammonia adsorption-desorption experiments, electron microscopy, powderx-ray diffraction, small angle x-ray scattering, and surface analytical techniques – time-of-flight secondary ion massspectrometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We will evaluate our materials as catalysts in alcohol dehydration. Forthis type of reaction it is desirable to have hydrothermally stable acidic material. Hydrothermal instability is usually the maindrawback of mixed metal oxides. Therefore we will tune the hydrophobicity of prepared materials and their surfaces byintroduction of various organic groups in order to improve their performances. We will focus on the control of the pore sizedistribution as well and prepare stable and homogeneous materials with large pores applicable in catalytic actions on bulky(bio)molecules. In such a way the project will establish fruitful cooperation between the two research groups – one focusedprimarily on the synthetic pathways to novel materials and the second focused on their application in heterogeneouscatalysis. The fellow will learn new characterization techniques and catalytic testing under industrially-relevant conditions. Hewill work independently, attain new soft skills and will prepare for the establishing of new research group back in Brno. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryinorganic compoundsnatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryalcoholsnatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisnatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryaliphatic compoundsagricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN Net EU contribution € 172 800,00 Address PLACE DE L UNIVERSITE 1 1348 Louvain La Neuve Belgium See on map Region Région wallonne Prov. Brabant Wallon Arr. Nivelles Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 172 800,00