Biomass/Waste Valorisation

Research on biomass valorisation has been focused in several areas including transformations of biomass-derived platform molecules to high added value chemicals and biofuels (e.g. biodiesel) to microwave-assisted processes with lignocellulosics, algae and other low-cost and waste raw materials.

Current projects include:

• Lignin depolymerisation using novel methodologies and heterogeneous catalysts valorisation of waste feedstocks: from high added value chemicals to carbonaceous materials transformation of platform molecules to biofuels and chemicals
• Valorisation of waste feedstocks: from high added value chemicals to carbonaceous materials
• Transformation of platform molecules to biofuels and chemicals

Selected references:

• Energy Environ. Sci. 2012, 5, 5481-5488
• Energy Environ. Sci. 2012, 5, 5186-5202
• Green Chem. 2011, 13, 3162-3167
• ChemCatChem 2011, 3, 594-597

• Chem. Soc. Rev. 2011, 40, 5266-5281
• Energy Environ. Sci. 2010, 3, 254-257
• Biores. Technol. 2010, 101, 4144-4150
• Energy Environ. Sci. 2010, 3, 1706-1721

Catal. Sci. Technol. 2016, 6, 4705-4711	Energy Environ. Sci. 2008, 1, 542-564	Energy Environ. Sci. 2011, 4, 3913-3929

Nanoscale Chemistry

We have focused our research on a range of supported metals and metal oxide nanoparticle on porous materials. Metals employed to date from noble (Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh) to transition metals including Fe, Co, Cu and Ni. Materials have been prepared using novel methodologies developed in our group including microwave and ball-milling assisted deposition protocols.

Selected references:

• Adv. Synth. Catal. 2011, 353, 3107-3113
• Green Chem. 2012 , 14, 393-402
• Chem. Rev. 2011, 111, 3036-3075

• Chem. Commun. 2010, 46, 7825-7827
• Green Chem. 2010, 12, 1995-2002
• Green Chem. 2010, 12, 1281-1287

Chem. Commun. 2012, 48, 1860-1862	Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 9024-9035	Green Chem. 2010, 12, 1540-1543