Nb2O5-Based Photocatalysts for the Organic Synthesis of High Added Value Molecules

• Grant number: 24/18874-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ernesto Chaves Pereira de Souza
• Grantee: Felipe Benedito Soares
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable chemical processes has encouraged the search for new materials that can act as efficient and environmentally friendly catalysts. Among the current challenges, the need to develop catalysts that promote both the degradation of organic pollutants and the synthesis of high added value molecules in a more efficient and sustainable manner stands out. Photocatalytic materials based on Nb¿O¿ have shown promise in this context, due to their high chemical stability, favorable photoelectrochemical properties and great potential for applications in advanced catalytic processes.This scientific initiation project has as its main objective the synthesis, characterization and application of new nanostructured photocatalytic materials based on Nb¿O¿. The materials will be prepared using methods such as microwave-assisted hydrothermal, sol-gel and anodization, followed by heat treatment to obtain the desired crystalline phase. The synthesis conditions will be adjusted to control the morphology and optimize the physicochemical properties of the materials.The synthesized materials will be applied in the organic electrosynthesis of high-value-added products, such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and chemical intermediates. This electrochemical process will be studied in detail to evaluate the performance of the prepared materials, maximizing their efficiency and selectivity in complex organic reactions. To this end, chemometric experimental design techniques will be used to optimize the variables of both the catalyst synthesis and the electrosynthesis processes.This project is expected to develop efficient, low-cost catalysts with a lower environmental impact, contributing significantly to the advancement of green chemistry and the sustainable production of high-value-added compounds in the chemical industry.