Heterogeneous Catalysis & Electro-catalytic processes:
Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of novel electro-catalyst formulations for energy or environmental applications. Indicative topics:
- Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU); CO2 hydrogenation to value-added products
- Catalytic abatement of hazardous pollutants (NOx, N2O, VOCs, HCs, CO)
- Natural gas/Biomass upgrade
- H2 production and use
- Fuel cells (Direct solid-liquid-gaseous fuel cells)
- Electro-catalytic process; Alkaline electrolysis; HER and OER processes; Supercapacitors
- Electrochemical synthesis of value added chemicals & fuels
- Novel thin films deposition techniques
Materinals Science and Surface Analysis:
- Rational design of highly-active and cost-efficient nanostructured electro-catalytic materials of tailored properties by means of advanced synthesis and promotional routes
- Evaluation of solid state and surface characteristics by means of advanced characterization techniques / Structure-property relationships
- Mode of action of structural/surface promoters in heterogeneous catalysis
- Fundamental understanding of metal-support interactions in catalysis