Project: New zeolite catalysts with engineered active sites
Research group: Heterogeneous Catalysis and Advanced Materials
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Project summary
Advances in catalysis have fueled the development of modern society, particularly thanks to zeolites, solid acid catalysts with versatile chemical composition and uniform micropores. Similarly to the vital role of the brain in a human body, the acid sites (framework metal atoms) determine the catalytic activity and selectivity of zeolite catalysts. Fine-tuning these acid sites at a “nanoscale” level (e.g., their nature/strength/concentration) has enabled us to enhance the properties of zeolites to some extent. However, currently available synthetic tools are still unable to control the acid-site structure in heterogeneous catalyst at an atomic level (e.g., their location at specific crystallographic positions), which is crucial for designing atom-efficient catalytic processes. We develop various synthetic techniques allowing fabrication of zeolites with desired active sites for specific catalytic reaction, characterize the designed materials using advanced diffraction, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to establish fundamental synthesis-structure-performance relationships. This is what we would like to explore further together with you, the successful applicant.
We offer:
Requirements:
•M.Sc. or equivalent in Chemistry (Beneficial: strong background in Material Science, ideally, zeolites)
•Ability to communicate within an international team
•Enthusiasm for research in zeolite chemistry
