Hybrid Catalytic Systems for Sustainable Chemical Processing

Catalysis plays a critical role in modern society, where 90% of all chemical processes involve heterogeneous catalysts. Nevertheless, heterogeneous and biological catalysis is still considered as one of the top 24 challenges in chemistry when asking “what’s next” in 2015. This project, related to such a fundamental challenge, proposes the innovative use of heterogeneous catalysts (supported metals, photo-catalysts) in tandem with biotransformation for sustainable chemical processes.

Example applications may include using renewable biomass (e.g. furfural) as feedstock for chemicals production; converting CO2 (Greenhouse Gas) to useful chemicals (e.g. methanol); the synthesis of chiral compounds as drug intermediates; through the development of hybrid (heterogeneous, photocatalytic and/or enzymatic) catalytic systems.

The project will involve catalyst synthesis, characterisation and testing; reaction kinetics/thermodynamics, mechanism investigation and coupling and integration of reactions.

The successful candidate should have, or expect to have, an Honours Degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering.

Knowledge of: Heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis, reaction engineering, physical chemistry, catalyst characterisation, kinetic/thermodynamic analysis.