Heterogeneous catalysis and environmental protection

This is a lecture course, primarily intended for students studying materials and sustainable development. It presents the role played by heterogeneous catalysis in the development of clean chemistry and in the depollution of gas/liquid effluents. The basic concepts of heterogeneous catalysis, as well as the main families of catalytic materials, will be discussed.  

Present the basics of catalysis (heterogeneous catalysis in particular)

Present the materials used in heterogeneous catalysis (preparation and characterization)

Present the main applications of heterogeneous catalysis for industry and environmental protection.

Chemistry of inorganic materials

Thermodynamics

Basic organic chemistry

Material characterization techniques

2-hour written exam (75% of the grade)

Oral presentation (10 min) on the subject of a publication (25% of the grade)

This course will cover the following topics:

1. Basics of Catalysis

Definition, industrial and environmental challenges and issues, history, terminology (activity (TOF, TON), selectivity, lifespan, active sites, etc.)

Mechanism of catalytic action

1. Principles of heterogeneous catalysis

Stages of heterogeneous catalysis

Kinetics of catalyzed reactions

Concepts in heterogeneous catalysis

1. Catalytic materials

Required properties

Texture-cleanliness correlations

Methods for preparing mesoporous supports

Methods for manufacturing heterogeneous catalysts (principles, examples)

Characterization of heterogeneous catalysts

1. Heterogeneous catalysis processes

Refining processes (catalytic cracking and reforming)

Biomass recovery

Catalysis for the environment and green chemistry (representative examples)

Industrial and automotive pollution control

Green chemistry: principles, examples

Administrative contact(s):

Master's Program in Chemistry Secretariat

https://master-chimie.edu.umontpellier.fr/