Use of niobium in the preparation of catalysts for CO2 conversion

• Grant number: 24/18280-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Program to Stimulate Scientific Vocations
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: March 20, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Liane Marcia Rossi
• Grantee: Anderson Barbosa de Souza
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The development of catalysts for the CO2 hydrogenation reaction has received great attention, enabling the use of this greenhouse gas as a raw material for value-added products. Methanol is one of the main products obtained from CO2 hydrogenation and has been considered a potential fuel for the energy transition, especially in the maritime transportation sector. In this project, the candidate will have the opportunity to explore the effect of the presence of niobium in the formulation of a new catalyst at the laboratory scale, as well as the opportunity to operate a catalytic testing unit to evaluate the performance of the developed catalyst in methanol synthesis. Additionally, the candidate will become familiar with the analytical methods used for the identification and quantification of products, as well as the calculations of activity and selectivity. The student will be guided on best laboratory safety practices and will work in a multidisciplinary group of chemists and engineers. The work plan is aligned with our research interests, which aim to explore alternative formulations to CZA (Cu/ZnO/Al2O3) catalysts, which are the most commonly used in methanol synthesis.