Most human activities are directly linked to the production of various types of wastes and to the emission of toxic substances into the environment, with negative consequences on ecosystems. The treatment of fumes and waste water is therefore essential to avoid the dispersion of pollutants with possible harmful effects on health. The use of proper catalysts allows to increase the efficiency of gas and water after-treatment, converting the polluting molecules into non-dangerous substances such as water and carbon dioxide. Aside thermal-catalysis, even near ambient for specific applications, also photocatalysis is advocated to this end.
The research concerns different topics:
- Total oxidation of methane: combustion gases contain low concentrations of methane, generally between 0.1 and 1 vol%. Reducing methane emissions can offer a great opportunity to mitigate global climate change leading to significant environmental and economic benefits. The research involves the study and development of catalysts and systems for the total oxidation of methane in low concentrations, taking care to minimize or eliminate the use of noble metals as active sites of the catalysts.
- Total oxidation of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds: these substances are generated during all combustion processes, but they can also accumulate inside closed indoor following some domestic activities (cooking, cleaning, etc). The research involves the development of highly active catalysts capable of effectively puryfing air even at low temperatures.
- Total oxidation of particulate matter: various activities can generate very fine carbonaceous particles, whose danger is linked to their ability to penetrate into lungs. The use of catalytic filters allows the capture of this solid particulate and its subsequent abatement through oxidation. The research involves the development and study of active catalysts not containing precious metals able to minimize the temperatures required for particulate oxidation.
- Reduction of nitrogen oxides: the combustion processes for static and mobile applications produce nitrogen oxides, dangerous for the environment due to their activity in the photochemical smog. The research is focused on the development of innovative catalysts for the abatement of nitrogen oxides through selective catalytic reduction, able to work with high conversion and selectivity in a wide range of temperatures.
- Electro-reduction/electro-oxidation of pollutants from industrial processes. For example: electro-oxidation of refractory organic molecules (e.g. phenol) and dyes for wastewater treatment; electro-reduction of olefins mediated by the conversion of CO2 (used to produce CO and formic acid) for the production of high value molecules (e.g. aldehydes) through carbonylation and hydroformylation processes.