Merging catalysis and nanoscience

Palestrante:  Profa. Dra. Daniela Zanchet – IQ-UNICAMP

Abstract: Catalysis and Nanoscience share an intrinsic bond and are pivotal in addressing the enormous challenges outlined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set by the United Nations. Heterogeneous catalysts, such as metal-supported catalysts, are nanomaterials in which the exposed surface and the nature of the atomic sites determine the catalytic properties. The development of nanotechnology over the past 25 years provides us with tools to observe and manipulate at the nanoscale, bringing the opportunity to design more realistic model catalytic systems and enabling detailed characterization under reaction conditions. Our research group has been working in heterogeneous catalysis and nanomaterials, following the synthesis-advanced characterization-catalytic performance approach. Our focus lies on strategic reactions such as the chain of reactions to produce H2 (catalytic reforming reactions of renewable sources, water-gas shift, and preferential oxidation of CO), CO2 conversion, and the upgrading of biomass derivatives. In this talk, I will discuss this fascinating match between Catalysis and Nanoscience, presenting recent examples and opportunities.

Prof. Zanchet obtained her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil and M. Sc and Dr. Sc in Physics at UNICAMP, Brazil. She was a post-doctoral fellow at the Chemistry Department of University of Berkeley, USA and later, a visiting scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. She was a researcher and group leader at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory for 10 years working in nanomaterials and advanced characterization techniques. Prof. Zanchet joined the Institute of Chemistry – UNICAMP in 2010 and currently serves as a Full Professor and Deputy Director of the Institute of Chemistry – UNICAMP. Her recent focus expanded to catalytic materials targeting lignocellulosic derivates conversion to biofuels and chemicals, and the catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals. She is Associate Editor of ACS Journal of Chemistry of Materials, member of the Editorial Board of the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry – Wiley-VCH and one of the Brazilian representatives in the International Association of Catalysis Societies.