PhD positions are open
We are delighted to announce an admission call for PhD candidates. Currently, we have open four interesting topics from the field of Green Chemistry, in particular biomass valorisation and design of catalysts. If you are interested in those topics and want to make your PhD in Prague, please, contact us and follow the admission procedure.
EN: Valorization of furanic compounds by their hydrogenation
Furanic compounds are key intermediates for the chemical valorization of sugar polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose) of lignocellulosic biomass. The aim of the dissertation will be the design and study of new types of catalysts for efficient hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into bis-hydroxyfuranic compounds, which are potential monomers for new types of sustainable biopolymers. Therefore, the dissertation will focus on the synthesis of hydrogenation catalysts and optimization of both the support and the active hydrogenation component, characterization of active catalyst centres, testing of activity, selectivity and stability of developed catalysts, and finding and understanding the relationships between synthesis and activity parameters of developed catalysts
EN: Design of catalysts for selective deoxygenation of phenolic compounds
Phenolic compounds are key intermediates for the chemical valorization of lignin from lignocellulosic biomass. The aim of the dissertation will be the design and study of new types of catalysts for efficient selective deoxygenation of substituted methoxyphenols, which are a feedstock with application potential for both sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and substituted cyclohexanones. Therefore, the dissertation will focus on the synthesis of deoxygenation catalysts and optimization of both the support and the active deoxygenation component, characterization of active catalyst centres, testing of activity, selectivity and stability of developed catalysts and finding and clarifying the relationships between synthesis and activity parameters of developed catalysts
EN: Design of catalysts with tailored structural and acid-base properties
Heterogeneous catalysts can fully unlock the chemical potential of biomass if their textural and acid-base properties can be optimized for the needs of specific reactions. The aim of the dissertation will be the design and study of hierarchical approaches to the control of textural properties, optimization of chemical composition and resulting acid-basic properties of prepared catalysts. Therefore, the dissertation thesis will focus on the preparation of SiO2 catalysts modified by other oxides (Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, etc.) by various methods. Supports prepared in this way with controlled texture and acidity (concentration of centers and their strength) will be further modified with metals (e.g. Ni, Co, Cu) and will be tested in suitable model reactions.
EN: Conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons
Methanol plays an important role in current efforts to decarbonize the chemical industry, as it is a key intermediate in the valorisation of waste carbon dioxide. The aim of the dissertation will be the design and study of new types of catalysts for the efficient conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons. Therefore, the dissertation will focus on the synthesis of catalysts and their modification, characterization of active catalyst centres, testing of activity, selectivity and stability of developed catalysts, and finding and understanding the relationships between synthesis and activity parameters of developed catalysts.