MATERIALI PER LA CATALISI

The course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge of catalysis, with special attention to the application of catalysts in the fields of energy production and environmental protection.

Principles of catalysis

• Hystory and importance of catalysis
• Basic principles of catalysis. Heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. Classification of catalysts.
• Heterogeneous catalysis and adsorption: physisorption and chemisorption. Adsorption isotherms. Surface area determination and poresize distribution. Metallic dispersion.
• Kinetics of catalysed reactions
• Preparation methods and characterization techniques of heterogeneous catalysts.
• Deactivation mechanisms of catalysts

Application of catalysts

• Principles and objectives of Green Chemistry. Solid acids and bases in catalysis. Catalytic processes with low environmental impact.
• Catalysis for environmental protection. Catalysis for gasoline and diesel cars. DeNOx e deSO_X catalysts. Catalytic combustion of VOC.
• Hydrogen economy. Production and storage of hydrogen. Fuel cells technologies.
• Catalytic processes for fuel production and improvement.
• Principles and applications of photocatalysis.

1. Class notes in pdf format

2. G.C. Bond – Heterogeneous Catalysis. Principles and Applications. Oxford University Press

3. J. Hagen – Industrial Catalysis: a practical approach. Wiley-VCH

4. G. Ertl, H. Knozinger, J. Weitkamp - Preparation of Solid Catalysts – Wiley-VCH