We are happy to announce four PhD thesis topics related to our ongoing research projects focusing on biomass valorization to value-added products with the help of heterogeneous catalysis and green chemistry principles. If you would like to know more about the topics or study at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, please contact us. Updated on 13th February 2025.
EN: Innovative hydrogenation catalysts for the valorization of compounds present in bio-oils
Biooils are in important source of compounds that can be key intermediates in chemical utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. Their conversion affords most importantly valuable monomers as well as component of aviation fuels. The dissertation will focus on the development of heterogeneous catalysts that will facilitate the conversion of phenolic and/or furanic compounds into desired valuable products in accordance with green chemistry principles.
EN: Preparation of new types CuZnAl hydrogenation-dehydrogenation catalysts
Hydrogenation-dehydrogenation reactions are essential for the chemical valorization lignocellulosic biomass. The aim of the dissertation will be the design and study of new types of CuZnAl catalysts with a controlled distribution of copper for efficient hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol and of cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol and for dehydrogenation of these alcohols to the respective aldehydes and ketones. Thanks to studying both hydrogenation and dehydrogenation it will be possible to reveal the effect of catalyst structures on their on their activity. Therefore, the dissertation will focus on the synthesis of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation catalysts to maximize their activity, characterization of active catalyst centers, testing of activity, selectivity and stability of the developed catalysts, and finding and understanding the relationships between synthesis and activity parameters of developed catalysts in the aforementioned reactions.
EN: Novel hydrogenolysis catalysts for the valorization of biomass-derived oxygenates
Hydrogenolysis is an important reaction for selective valorization of renewable feedstocks. Besides hydrogenolysis of ester to alcohols that is already a mature industrial process, which, however, needs new more environmentally-friendly catalysts, the attention has been also recently directed at hydrogenolysis of ethers as a key reaction for efficient valorization of lignin. The aim of the dissertation is to identify and describe the fundamental parameters of hydrogenolysis catalysts. The ambition it to reveal both common as well as specific requirements on the composition and properties of catalysts for hydrogenolysis of esters and ethers. The dissertation will focus on the synthesis and characterization of catalysts that will be studied in hydrogenolysis of model esters and ethers to determine their activity, selectivity and stability