Objective
The project is focused on the preparation, characterization and application of (hydro)thermally stable, homogeneous, and
porous metallosilicate catalysts. As a synthetic route we will apply non-hydrolytic sol-gel routes since they produce materials
with high homogeneity and they allow the one-step functionalization of the oxides surface. We will focus and demonstrate
our 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, solid
state nuclear magnetic resonance, nitrogen and ammonia adsorption-desorption experiments, electron microscopy, powder
x-ray diffraction, small angle x-ray scattering, and surface analytical techniques – time-of-flight secondary ion mass
spectrometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We will evaluate our materials as catalysts in alcohol dehydration. For
this type of reaction it is desirable to have hydrothermally stable acidic material. Hydrothermal instability is usually the main
drawback of mixed metal oxides. Therefore we will tune the hydrophobicity of prepared materials and their surfaces by
introduction of various organic groups in order to improve their performances. We will focus on the control of the pore size
distribution 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 focused
primarily on the synthetic pathways to novel materials and the second focused on their application in heterogeneous
catalysis. The fellow will learn new characterization techniques and catalytic testing under industrially-relevant conditions. He
will work independently, attain new soft skills and will prepare for the establishing of new research group back in Brno.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinator
1348 Louvain La Neuve
Belgium