Scientific Foundations for the Synthesis and Selection of Heterogeneous Catalysts

The main scientific interests of the thematic group “Scientific Foundations for the Synthesis and Selection of Heterogeneous Catalysts” include fundamental and applied research on the synthesis, characterization, and activity of new heterogeneous catalysts. The group conducts experimental interdisciplinary studies aiming to investigate the relationship between structure and catalytic activity. Special attention is given to the use of various methods for obtaining nanostructured materials with predefined properties.
In the 1980s, new catalysts for the nitrogen industry were developed, technologies for their production were implemented, and they were patented. In 1995, the group initiated pioneering research on gold catalysts for the low-temperature conversion of carbon monoxide with water vapor (WGS reaction). In the following years and to the present, significant efforts have been directed towards the development of nano-sized gold catalysts on various metal-oxide supports (Fe2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, CeO2, modified with rare-earth and transition metal oxides CeO2, mixed metal oxides). These catalysts exhibit very high catalytic activity in reactions related to the production of pure hydrogen through WGS and the selective oxidation of CO, contributing to environmental protection (hydrocarbon oxidation, low-temperature CO oxidation, removal of nitrogen oxides in waste gases). New modern materials have been synthesized, such as nanostructured mesoporous oxides – TiO2 and ZrO2, titanium oxide nanotubes, and cerium oxide nanorods, which have been used as promising supports.
The results of the study on gold catalysts have been summarized in three patents, over 150 publications in international journals and proceedings of international scientific forums, which have been well-received by the scientific community (over 5000 citations) and presented at more than 150 national and international scientific events.
The research team participates in studies within joint projects under the COST program, NATO, national, bilateral international, and inter-academic projects with universities and academic institutes.