CMAL

Physics

President

Chalmers University of Technology

Per-Anders Carlsson Group

Applied Chemistry

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

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Research Aim and ApproachCatalysis has shaped our past and will shape our future. We explore new catalytic materials, their molecular function and ways to use them for environmental protection and chemical production without putting planetary boundaries for sustainability at risk. We make materials and study their properties with time-resolved spectroscopic and scattering methods in controlled environments (in situ) and most often while monitoring their efficiency (operando). We continuously strive to develop the experimental methodologies (instrument design, data processing etc). The gained knowledge is essential input for the design of new competitive materials and processes. Complementary information, such as the effects on the system level and techno-economic considerations, is achieved through cross-disciplinary collaborations.&nbsp;Funding:&nbsp;Swedish Research Council, Swedish Energy Agency and Chalmers Area of Advance&nbsp;Green Aromatics&nbsp;for a biobased economy is a research direction where we explore catalytic valorization of low-cost pre-processed hemicellulosic furans/furfurals into benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTXs). These compounds are among the few major chemical building blocks that cannot be made from methane in established processes. Our approach follows many green principles when natural complexity in the renewable feedstock is catalytically refined as opposed to a syngas route where the feedstock first is broken down to a CO/H2 intermediate mixture. Together with researchers at RISE, we adopt a multidisciplinary methodology that incorporates fundamental catalyst science, on-line biostream speciation and techno-economic analysis.&nbsp;Funding:&nbsp;Formas and Swedish Energy Agency. CO2 Utilization&nbsp;as chemical feedstock for production of base and speciality chemicals is increasingly more important for developing a sustainable chemical industry. Not only is the carbon footprint reduced but also safety and health risks when, for example, phosgene can be replaced with CO2. Our research aims at understanding operating mechanisms and designing new catalyst formulations for efficient CO2 hydrogenation to methane, methanol and higher hydrocarbons, which then can be used as green drop-in reactants in present chemical processes or as so-called electrofuels when the hydrogen is produced by electrolysis.&nbsp;Funding:&nbsp;Swedish Research Council and Knut and Alice Wallenberg foundation. Power-to-Food (PtF)&nbsp;is a concept for production of food with significantly reduced environmental impact. It takes on the challenge to feed the 10 billion population, as predicted for 2050 by UN, without transgressing the planetary boundaries for sustainability. The concept makes use of energy carried by (renewable) electrical power and a carbon source, such as CO2, to produce food by a number of consecutive chemical steps. This way food can be produced within the planetary boundaries for, e.g., climate change, phosphorous and nitrogen balance, freshwater use, land-system change and biosphere integrity. Together with researchers at RISE, we develop the PtF concept with activities spanning from research on detailed chemistry to studies on system level effects and techno-economic analysis.&nbsp;Funding:&nbsp;Vinnova. Catalytic Emission Control&nbsp;has been essential for&nbsp;improving urban air quality&nbsp;through mitigation of hazardous emissions from mobile and stationary sources. With increasing human population and emerging mega-cities, both outdoor and indoor air treatment will be necessary for a forseeable future. We study catalytic systems for oxidation of CO and HCs including VOCs and reduction of NOx foremost within the transport sector. We focus on revealing and controlling key structural and chemical catalyst performance parameters to make new catalyst concepts with improved efficiency. Many projects are carried out within the national research environment Competence Centre for Catalysis (KCK).&nbsp;Funding:&nbsp;Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Swedish Research Council.

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Green Chemistry (KBT245, 7.5 hec) The course explains the principles of green chemistry and end-of-pipe methods, with a basis in the molecular and materials chemistry, and discusses alternative solutions to support a sustainable development. The level of understanding should be such that the students in their profession as engineers critically can participate in discussions regarding selection of methods for increased sustainability within industrial production of chemicals and fuels, and to avoid environmental stress caused by pollution and energy-related problems.Heterogeneous Catalysis (FKBT210, 15 hec, graduate level) The course aims at deep understanding of modern concepts and methods in catalysis with an expansion towards experimental analysis techniques and applications of catalyst technologies. It is designed for doctoral students and experienced materials researchers with an interest in catalysis and surface reactions. Participants should after the course possess the skills to critically analyse catalytic reactions, and synthesise and characterise catalytic materials on the atomic scale. Further, the participanst should gain knowledge about design of relevant catalyst technologies for industrial, environmental and energy-related problems. Biannual course given fall 2023.

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