Engineering of advanced catalysts from modular parts

The proposed project addresses the key issues of the synthesis, modification and characterization of two-dimensional (2D) zeolites combining the fundamental aspects of their synthesis, detailed characterization and testing of their catalytic properties in a set of reactions requiring different acidity, active site accessibility and textural properties of catalysts under study . 2D zeolites constitute the modular parts that can be further manipulated in a variety of ways leading to exciting novel materials with a high practical potential in catalysis. 2D zeolites (mostly MFI and MWW) will be manipulated by post-synthesis providing lamellar systems with adjustable architecture (pillaring, swelling, stabilization, delamination). The combination of variety of experimental characterization techniques (namely XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, sorption easurements, chemical analysis) will be supported by catalytic reactions and quantum chemical calculations of zeolite properties and reaction mechanisms.