Currently the following calls for MSc projects are open. If you are interested submit your request via the online form linked to here. First please consult our page information for students.
Supervisor: Dr. Xianhua Zhang
Title: Operando Laboratory-based X-ray Absorption and Raman Spectroscopy to study the structure evolution of catalysts in CO2hydrogenation
Description: The limited availability of synchrotron facilities restricts chemists and materials scientists from accessing X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Laboratory-based XAS provides synchrotron-quality spectra and greater flexibility, allowing for long-duration operando experiments.[1-2] Integrating complementary techniques with XAS provides a more comprehensive understanding of catalyst materials.[3] This project focuses on integrating XAS and Raman spectroscopy for simultaneous operando characterization of the structure evolution of catalysts and online product analysis, enabling advanced catalyst material insights under realistic working conditions.
[1] Genz, N. S. et al., Angew Chem Int Ed 2022, 61, e202209334.
[2] Genz, N. S. et al., Chemistry–Methods 2023, 4, e202300027.
[3] Iglesias-Juez et al., Journal of Catalysis 2010, 276, 268-279.
Supervisor: Haoxiang Yan
Title: Optimizing Ruthenium-Based Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenolysis of Polyethylene (PE) into C6-C18 Hydrocarbons
Description: It is challenging to recycle PE due to its C-C backbone structure.[1, 2] This project aims to develop a ruthenium (Ru) based catalyst for the selective hydrogenolysis of PE into C6-C18 hydrocarbons. Ru/C catalyst has been tested on different types of PE under mild condition (200 °C, 20 bar H2). The results show that the PE were over-cracked into gaseous products instead of C6-C18hydrocarbons. To address this, Ru-based bimetallic catalysts with metals like Ti, Nb, W, and Re will be developed to improve the selectivity and suppress methane formation. By adding this metals, electronic properties, hydrogen spillover, and metal-support interactions will change and possibly improve selectivity towards C6-C18.[3] Catalyst performance will be tested on different PE using parr reactor.
[1] Tan, Y., et al., Catalytic chemical recycling and upcycling of polyolefin plastics. Giant, 2024. 19.
[2] Rorrer, J.E., G.T. Beckham, and Y. Román-Leshkov, Conversion of Polyolefin Waste to Liquid Alkanes with Ru-Based Catalysts under Mild Conditions. JACS Au, 2021. 1(1): p. 8-12.
[3] Yuan, Y., et al., Controlling Product Distribution of Polyethylene Hydrogenolysis Using Bimetallic RuM(3) (M = Fe, Co, Ni) Catalysts.Chem Bio Eng, 2024. 1(1): p. 67-75.