From the beginning of the project, we have focused on the selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde using formic acid as an in-situ hydrogen donor to produce crotyl alcohol and furfuryl alcohol from furfural. The work performed, involved the characterization of catalysts and evaluation of their performance through the secondments of ESRs and ERs. We have successfully developed monometallic catalysts based on Cu and Re nanoparticles, as well as a bimetallic CuRe catalyst supported on high-surface-area graphite. The catalytic studies showed that formic acid effectively hydrogenated crotonaldehyde, with Re/G demonstrating high stability throughout the reaction. In contrast, Cu/G exhibited predominant selectivity toward butanal, likely due to its adsorption mechanism. Additionally, density functional theory simulations corroborated these findings, indicating that formic acid enhances selectivity by competing with reactants. In the liquid phase, we have developed monometallic catalysts supported on TiO2, ZrO2, and C3N4, with ReOx/C3N4 showing the highest selectivity for crotyl alcohol. We also explored furfural hydrogenation, where catalysts showed varying product distributions over time. As regards to the CO2 methanation, we observed increased activity with catalysts doped with La and Mg and supported on ZrO2. Also, improved conversion rates upon incorporating oxygen into the reaction mixture, highlighting the significance of the catalyst's support structure.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) component of the project focuses on evaluating the environmental impacts associated with the production and disposal of wastes, in the context of upcycling technologies. The study aims to compare the end-of-life impacts of various disposal methods, such as incineration, landfilling, and upcycling, to identify the most environmentally sustainable option. Using a cradle-to-cradle approach, the LCA will assess the entire life cycle stages of microfibers, starting from their production processes, through to their eventual disposal or transformation into valuable carbonaceous products via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and pyrolysis. Key metrics such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, and resource use will be evaluated, with a focus on critical impact categories like Climate Change, Toxicity, and Ecotoxicity. By employing the openLCA software alongside the ecoinvent database and the "Environmental Footprint" LCIA method proposed by the European Commission, the study will generate quantitative data on the environmental benefits of upcycling technologies. Additionally, this research will explore the feasibility of incorporating recovered materials back into the economy, thus promoting circularity and reducing the overall ecological footprint of wastes. The goal is to demonstrate that effective upcycling can significantly mitigate the environmental impacts associated with traditional microfiber disposal methods while contributing to sustainable material management practices.
