Nanosized Metallic Catalysts Prepared in Controlled Local Environments of Mesostructured Hosts for Fine Chemical Syntheses

 

Acronym: NanoMesoChem
Project code: PN-II-RU-TE-2012-3-0403
Contract number: 3/22.04.2013
Funding agency: CNCS-UEFISCDI
Project total budget: 650.000 lei
Duration: 41 months

 

            The stabilization of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) within multifunctional porous host structures is an extremely exciting research area in nanoscience which was intensively investigated over the last two decades. This proposal outlines a research programme aimed to gain a first comprehensive understanding insight into the complex interplays between geometric and electronic effects in catalytic systems based on non-noble MPNs hosted in functional mesostructured supports, which will allow controlling the local environments of hosted MNPs and engineering the particle size as a strategic line to fine tuning the chemoselectivity in the hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes. In these materials, the chemical and physical characteristics of the (extra)framework components can induce useful catalytic and adsorption features, making possible the development of new high performance catalysts in terms of chemoselectivity (to reduce the needs in product separation), activity (to increase productivity) and from economic and energy considerations (to decrease the price of catalysts and reduce energy consumption). The approach will be centered on catalysts based on non-noble NPs (such as Cu, Co...) supported on mesostructured hosts with potential applications in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde (CNA).