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UCT Catalytic fall 2024On September 26 and 27, together with colleagues from the Department of Organic Technology (FCHT), we organized a new two-day UCT Catalytic Fall seminar. The seminar is mainly aimed at PhD students and aims to deepen their knowledge in the field of catalysis, improve their presentation and communication skills and enable them to receive quality feedback from renowned experts. As part of the seminar, two world-renowned speakers were invited, prof. Krijn de Jong (Utrecht University) and prof. Gonzálo Prieto (ITQ Valencia), on the grounds of VŠCHT.
The first day of the seminar was dedicated to a workshop with PhD students from both institutes, who prepared short presentations on the topic of their research and focused on areas where they perceived their weaknesses. Invited speakers then provided constructive feedback and helped students find new directions for their research. On the second day, two public lectures took place, in which the guests presented rather educational contributions focused on the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. The listeners thus became familiar with the basic principles and key aspects that must be taken into account during their preparation.
We are very pleased that we managed to organize this seminar, which was attended by many PhD students. We are looking forward to the next year next autumn, this time on the topic "Characterization of catalysts".
New DRIFT cellsWe have acquired equipment for the FTIR Antaris spectrometer, which includes three DRIFT cells designed for measuring solid powdered samples with the capability of evacuating and modifying the measuring atmosphere. The first, a standard DRIFT cell, allows convenient sample measurements under laboratory conditions. The two more advanced cells, a low-temperature and a high-temperature cell, enable thermal treatment of samples within a temperature range from -190°C to 900°C, making it ideal for observing material behavior changes with temperature. Additionally, these cells can be purged with inert or reactive gases for further sample modification.
During these treatments, spectra can be continuously monitored to assess changes in the material. The equipment is suitable for studying the surfaces of inorganic materials, such as adsorbents or industrial catalysts, We would like to use it for CO or pyridine adsorption for probing of catalyst surfaces.
Bapstiste described his project
Hello, I'm Baptiste Bouillot, a French process engineering student from the Université de Lorraine who interned with the Greencats team for a semester in 2024. During this internship, I worked on the development of green catalysts for hydrogenolysis reactions such as conversion of diesters to diols. I loved this project because it was very stimulating and allowed me to use some fairly technical equipment such as an autoclave. The autoclave arrived new so I participated in its getting into the operation. I learned a lot during this semester and the atmosphere in the team was very good, everyone was nice and the working environment was very friendly.
Journal of CatalysisWe are thrilled to announce the publication of our latest research article in the esteemed Journal of Catalysis. The paper, titled "Evaluation of anisole hydrodeoxygenation reaction pathways over a Ni/Al2O3 catalyst," provides new insights into the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) mechanisms of lignin-derived oxygenates using anisole as a model molecule.
Anisole serves as an exemplary molecule for studying the HDO processes pertinent to lignin-derived oxygenates. Our investigation elucidates the HDO pathway of anisole over a 10% Ni/Al2O3 catalyst. Through adsorption experiments, we determined that anisole is primarily adsorbed on the acidic sites of Al2O3. At reaction temperatures between 200–300 °C, anisole undergoes reactive adsorption, leading to its demethylation. This research provides significant advancements in our understanding of HDO processes and offers valuable insights for the development of more efficient catalytic systems for biomass-derived oxygenates. We are proud of this achievement and look forward to the impact it will have on the field of catalysis.
For full access to the article, please visit the Journal of Catalysis. Stay tuned for more updates and breakthroughs from our research team.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral FellowshipsWe are pleased to announce that we would like to support the preparation of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA PF) project to obtain funding for 1-2 years. The call deadline is 11 September 2024. If you are interested in biomass valorization using heterogeneous catalysts and would like to do your research in the Greencats group at UCT Prague, please get in touch with us (greencats@vscht.cz) no later than May 31st. Send us your specific research idea (ideally presented in a 3-slides pitch) , your CV and your motivation letter. If they will fit well with our objectives and development plans we will schedule an online meeting with you to start the project preparation. For more information about MSCA PF please go to the websites of the UCT Project Centre and MSCA PF.
PROTON InternationalOn Monday, April 15, 2024, 24 students from the University of Utrecht (Netherlands) visited our department. They were students in the third year of bachelor's and master's studies in the field of Chemistry and Molecular Biology at the Institute of Chemistry, who go abroad every year. The study tour aims to inform the participants about chemical research and industry abroad and to open up new possibilities for them. We are glad that we were able to offer these students quality lectures in which we introduced them to the history of our school and our scientific topics (sustainable catalysis, CO2 evaluation and alternative fuel sources), as well as a tour through our department, where we showed them our technical possibilities and work environment. Finally, we would like to highlight the interest with which the students willingly participated in the discussion.
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Half-year long traineeship for SetalAs it was my first time visiting a European nation, I must admit that I was both anxious and eager about my 15-hour and 40-minute journey from Malaysia to the Czech Republic. Despite the lengthy journey, I had a great time because of the wonderful meals and hospitality. Given the chance to complete my internship abroad and the fact that the Czech Republic is home to numerous prominent research organisations and universities that actively support chemical research and development, I chose to carry out my internship in Prague. Not only that, I was amazed by the facilities available in UCT, Prague for research purposes thus, I decided to conduct my internship at UCT, Prague under the GreenCats group in the Department of Sustainable Fuels and Green Chemistry.
Furthermore, my internship has given me valuable experience that has improved both my soft and practical skills. As my superiors always provide me with insightful feedback and suggestions which has also improved my technical skills. In addition, I had the opportunity to work with a micro catalyst bed reactor for catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol as well as synthesis catalyst via wet impregnation method. All of the knowledge and experience that I have gained throughout my internship are beneficial as I will be able to apply them to my future final-year projects.
Last but not least, I had a great time during my visit to Prague and found the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, and Prague's Castle's architectural style to be rather fascinating as well as I had a great time celebrating Christmas and New Year's in Prague during the winter.