Industrial Inorganic Chemistry
Table of contents
a) Catalytic Industrial Processes
Zeolites and other porous materials are important heterogeneous catalysts for large scale industrial processes. Especially hierarchical zeolites offer a high selectivity combined with improved transport and deactivation characteristics. We develop new techniques for the synthesis of hierarchical zeolites for hydrocarbon conversion processes and oxidation catalysis.
Fig. 1: Ti-doped zeolite structure for oxidation catalysis
Technologies and applications
- Zeolites
- Methanol-to-Olefin process (MTO-Process)
- CO2 dry reforming
- High temperature catalysis
- Catalytic combustion
- Catalyst characterization and testing
Links
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1387181112002715
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1387181113006392
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.201300906/abstract
b) Industrial separation/purification processes
We develop materials and processes for adsorptive separation in industry. We evaluate porous materials and provide basic data to design larger processes for separation units in gas and liquid phase applications. Based on our knowledge and commercially available materials we select materials compatible with the scale and requirements of the separation application.
Fig. 2: Schematic representation of protein mixture separation for food chemistry applications
Technologies and applications
- N2/O2-separation
- Alkane/Alkene separation
- Hydrocarbon separation
- Noble gas separation
- Recovery of organics from water
- Adsorptive recovery of inorganic gases from streams
- Separation processes for food industry
Links
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0008622314004618?np=y
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0008622316304286
c) Industrial production of inorganic materials and chemicals
We develop production processes for industrial partners. We help to improve production processes. As an example, diamond electrodes were used for the continuous regeneration of peroxosulfuric acid for semiconductor industry (etching bath) in cooperation with Infineon using continuous electrooxidation.
Fig. 3: Scheme for the electrooxidation using diamond electrodes
The development of coatings and surface functionalization for the integration of ceramic particles into metallic or polymer matrices can lead to transparent polymer nanocomposites or mixed-matrix composites for 3D printing and other applications. Core-shell systems are developed as customized formulations for example as rubber additives.
Fig. 4: Al2O3 fibers coated with copper (left) and Ni@SiO2 core-shell Particles (right)
Technologies and applications
- Nanoparticles, microparticles
- Particle coatings, surface functionalization
- Encapsulation
- Nanocomposites
- Ceramic materials
Links
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001346861401977X
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444533494002065
d) Fine chemicals
We develop novel materials for fine chemical production. Metal-Organic Frameworks and porous polymers offer a high degree of control over active sites for fine chemical transformations. We have developed MOFs and other porous materials for enantioselective aldol reactions, cyanosilylation, hydrogenation, and organocatalysis.
Fig. 5: MOF-catalyzed hydrogenation of cinnamic acid ester
Technologies and applications
- Aldol condensation catalyst
- Mukayama reaction catalyst
- Hydrogenation catalysts
- Oxidation catalysts
- Solid base catalysis
- Organocatalysis
Links
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja305482a
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/chem.201002568/suppinfo