abstract of VIDI proposal

Abstract of proposal Preparation of functional zeolites for efficient and economical capture of CO2 Global warming is serious problem that has been initiated by human activities since industrial revolution. Human activities and burning the fossil fuels increased CO2 emissions by 48%. Some of the consequences of global warming are already evident in antarctica and arctic. If we do not reduce CO2 emissions, we will be unable to sustain life in many parts of our planet after 50 years (For instance due to a rise in see level many parts of Netherland might be under water by that time). Governments trough the world including EU countries funded much research about conversion of CO2 to other useful chemical. However, efficient CO2 capture from air or in stationary sources is needed to obtain pure CO2 which is required by CO2 conversion approaches. Convectional CO2 capture technologies are unable to provide such large-scale CO2 capture capability considering different limitations including environmental problems (alkaline solvent approach), non-economical procedures (high priced liquid amines and metal organic framework), water poisoning (e. g. adsorption of water on basic solids like K2CO3, NaX and similar structures) and high desorption temperature/nonreversible sorption (for instance in case of basic oxides and zeolites). Current research for carbon capture is primarily focused on metal organic frameworks and basic solids for CO2 capture; however, MOF based frameworks are not economical and practical in many cases, and even CALF20, which is reported to be the cheapest MOF for CO2 capture, has a higher price than porous basic oxides. On the other hand, basic porous oxides suffer from water poisoning and deactivation which always accompany CO2 emission in mobile and stationary emission sources. Basic materials also require high temperatures to release the adsorbed CO2 which further limit their application for reversible CO2 capture materials. My aim is to prepare functional zeolites for selective CO2 capture by mimicking properties of benchmark MOF (e. g. CALF-20) and embedding these properties in zeolitic framework (hydrophilicity, Zn exchanged sites) which will result in economical, stable and efficient materials for CO2 capture. Recently, we have prepared different hierarchical zeolite structures in the ICC group of Utrecht University, and we modified their surface properties (hydrophobicity and metal sites) by various functional groups. The preliminary investigation of such structures suggests these structures may be able to act as efficient CO2 capture materials that can address limitations inherent in conventional CO2 capture materials. Explanation on the timing of the proposal in my career path and fit within research themes of the institute Starting from March 2020, I join the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group (ICC) of Utrecht University under supervision of Florian Meirer and Bert Weckhuysen to conduct research on porous catalysts, relate their complex pore space to catalyst performance. During the last two years, I gain experience on preparation of porous functional zeolites which are not only can be used as a heterogenous catalyst but also as adsorbent of different molecules (e, g, CO2). Additionally, I gain experience on tuning the properties and composition of these zeolites as well as functionalization of them (e. g. hydrophobicity and density of exchanges sites). I also become familiar with different ex-situ and in-situ techniques for assessing such properties. Combining these experiences with my previous postdoc experiences in Italy and Czech Republic on vibrational spectroscopy characterization of porous materials and catalyst, I will be able to perform/manage research on CO2 capture by functional zeolites. Considering the fact that I obtain my PhD in September 2015 and I have now more than 6 years of postdoc experience in the field of porous sorbent and catalyst, I have enough involvement to apply for Vidi grant. This project is in line with current theme of ICC group considering the outlook of department to be one of leading center in the Netherland for developing carbon neutral refineries.