Structure-property correlation in materials with hierarchical porosity for use as catalysts

• Grant number: 25/05285-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Helena Pulcinelli
• Grantee: Rodolfo Debone Piazza
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/01953-3 - Materials applied to transformation of biomass in green diesel: from laboratory to pilot, AP.BIOEN.TEM

Abstract

This project aims to create organized mesoporous structures through the sol-emulsion-gel process. The sol-gel route will be used to obtain precursors in solution or colloidal suspension, with or without surfactants. Various templates and precise amounts of surfactant, oil and co-surfactant will be used to form porous ceramic phases. The structure of the materials will be analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scattering, spectroscopic techniques and surface characterization. Specific objectives include the production of aluminum and silicon oxide particles, in presence and absence of surfactants, with size and shape controlled by sol-gel routes. These particles will be coated with metallic nickel and nickel phosphides to improve catalytic performance in the deoxygenation of biomass fatty acids.