Research activities
- Design and fabrication of new nanostructured materials for applications in catalysis.
The unconventional methods of synthesis used by us: pressure (solvothermal), combustion and using microemulsions, enable us to obtain materials with a unique morphology and high specific surface area. In particular, these are oxide materials with a hierarchical structure (γ-Al2O3, mesoporous SiO2, doped CeO2), carbon materials with a defined porous structure, as well as complex systems containing metal nanoparticles deposited on such materials. Hierarchical materials, due to their structure (architecture), exhibit higher thermal stability and reactivity than their unstructured counterparts or solid materials. The characteristics of the obtained materials include microstructure studies using transmission and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, as well as texture (measurement of specific surface area and porous structure).
- Mechanisms of active phase-carrier interactions in heterogeneous catalysts.
Metal-carrier interactions (chemical and electronic) to a large extent determine the properties of heterogeneous catalysts, such as metal dispersion as well as activity, selectivity and especially the stability of the catalyst. We conduct research for both real (powders) and model (thin layers) systems, with particular emphasis on in-situ methods (e.g. NAP-XPS).
- Chemical reactivity of nanomaterials.
Research concerns chemisorption of reactive gases (H2, O2, CO) and model catalytic reactions important for environmental protection (oxidation of light hydrocarbons and CO, hydrogen production) on nanoparticle systems. We also study reactions in the solid phase at the nanoparticle-substrate interface. Reactions such as sintering, redispersion or formation of chemical compounds at phase boundaries determine the stability and activity of catalysts and layered systems.
- Designing new catalytic systems dedicated for demanding reactions.
Fundamental research into the microstructure and activity of model catalytic systems is used to develop new catalysts for demanding chemical reactions.
Laboratory of Electron Microscopy
The laboratory is the basic equipment base of the Department in the field of testing the microstructure of materials. A special role in the study of highly dispersed systems (including catalysts) is played by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, which provides unique information about the morphology and crystal structure of particles with sizes of single nanometers. The laboratory also performs services in the field of TEM, SEM and X-ray microanalysis (EDS) for employees of the Institute and other scientific institutions.