Characterization of transition metal oxides targeting catalytic applications

• Grant number: 22/09325-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Zanchet
• Grantee: Pedro Becchelli de Moraes Nunes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/01258-5 - Novel chemical catalytic and photocatalytic processes for the direct conversion of methane and CO2 to products, AP.TEM

Abstract

The increase in energy demand and global warming has been a driving force for innovations in energy generation based on renewable materials as well as in the mitigation and conversion of greenhouse gases, such as CO2 and methane, into products. In this scenario, Catalysis research plays a key role. Many current catalytic processes are dependent on catalysts based on precious metals (ex. Pt, Rh, Ru, Pd) and the search for catalysts based on earth-abundant elements (ex.: Fe, Co, Ni), which also minimize the use of precious metals (eg through core-shell structures), is part of the current challenges. In the case of transition metals of the first series (Fe, Co, Ni) one of the challenges is to understand at the atomic level the metal-oxide balance and the possible co-existence of metallic and oxidized phases under reaction conditions, which deeply affect the catalytic performance. The objective of this project is the study of transition metal oxides, such as Fe2O3 and NiO, regarding their surface properties, modifications induced by pre-treatments, and their performance on selected catalytic reactions.(AU)