Objective The utilization of renewable lignocellulose biomass (composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) alternative to fossil fuels is crucial for long-term economic and social stability. In this context, the catalytic reductive lignocellulose fractionation (CRLF) process has received tremendous research interest as this strategy enables one-pot conversion of lignocellulose into useful lignin-derived chemicals, while retaining a solid (hemi)cellulose fraction that can be used for the production of fuels, chemicals or paper. The development of promising heterogeneous catalysts having abundant redox and acid properties, along with the application of a proper solvent is a great challenge for efficient CRLF process. Nanoscale palladium-nickel (Pd-Ni) and ruthenium-nickel (Ru-Ni) particles dispersed on shape-controlled zinc oxide (ZnO) are considered to be a unique class of heterogeneous catalysts due to the size- and shape-tuned catalytic properties. The integration of Ni with Pd and Ru can provide new, enriched, selective redox sites and simultaneously minimizing the use of noble metals. As well, controlling the shape of ZnO particles allows a selective exposure of reactive crystal planes, resulting in enhanced Lewis acidic strength. Thus, the synergistic interactions of Pd-Ni and Ru-Ni nanoparticles with the shape-controlled ZnO will provide superior redox and acid properties that can show a promising effect in CRLF process. Therefore, this project aims to develop a family of novel multifunctional M-Ni/ZnO (M = Pd, Ru) catalysts by varying the ZnO shape (spheres, rods and polyhedra). A range of analytical techniques will be used to understand the catalysts’ properties and aid catalyst design. The efficiency of developed catalysts will be tested for one-pot CRLF process using ethanol as both the solvent and the H2-donor. In-depth catalysts’ reusability and kinetic/mechanistic studies will be conducted to determine structure-activity relationships in the CRLF process. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringair pollution engineeringnatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialsagricultural 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 KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN Net EU contribution € 172 800,00 Address OUDE MARKT 13 3000 Leuven Belgium See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Vlaams-Brabant Arr. Leuven 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