NANOstructured CAtalysts in Unconventional SYStems – NANOCAUSYS

Undoubtedly, the future of chemistry relies on a better use of matter and energy, and limits its environmental footprint. In this context, NANOCAUSYS contributes to this effort by offering an integrated approach for designing, evaluating and applying in heterogeneous catalysis. This approach relies on developping nanostructured catalytic materials for three model reactions, representative of the difficulties encountered in the conventional industry. These materials will then be tested and used in non-conventional reactors and conditions.
Material specifications directly include the application at the catalytic efficiency level, but also taking into account process and use. Studied reactions will evaluate the effectiveness of this approach in the areas of biocatalysis, acid-catalysis and organometallic catalysis. In addition of their model aspect, those reactions have direct applications for Rhodia on biomass-derived substrates.
Non-conventional solvents and methods will be employed at the stages of catalysts design and preparation: supercritical fluids, ionic liquids and microfluidic systems. The latter will allow quick kinetic and thermodynamic data acquisition with minimal material use required for application on a larger scale. This rational alternative solvents use will also be implemented in the final application in batch mode and continuous reactors.