FurCat: improving furfural hydrogenation catalysis with a combined “nanomaterials + spectroscopy” rational design approach

Heterogeneous (solid) catalysts underpin the manufacture of > 90% of fuels and chemicals and the chemicals sector contributes £50bn yr-1 to the UK economy. The need to develop new or improved catalysts (more efficient, selective, cheaper, greener) has never been greater, with an expanding, more developed population, depletion of fossil resources and enormous concerns about global warming. The key enabler in delivering the catalysts needed is systematic insight into the molecular / atomic mechanisms that control catalyst function.

This project will use “idealized” catalyst structures to provide mechanistic insight into a key biomass-to chemicals transformations: furfural hydrogenation. Furfural is a promising “platform molecule” readily obtainable from sugar and providing access to a number of adhesive/resin/solvent and plastics intermediates (all currently fossil derived). The current catalyst is highly toxic (Cr based) and replacement is urgently sought.

The catalyst structures will be synthesized using nano-chemistry techniques. The uniformity obtained enables the reliable use of spectroscopic handles for the catalysts’ charge transfer and acid/base properties - key mechanistic parameters we want to understand. These will be studied both in Durham and using synchrotron radiation (e.g. we already have preliminary data from the new AP-XPS beamline at Diamond for this reaction).

The project is available from October 2018.

Potential applicants are welcome to contact Dr Simon Beaumont ([Email Address Removed]) with informal enquiries.
Early applications are strongly encouraged as the position will be filled when a suitable candidate is identified.