Physchem.cz

Metal nanoparticles confined within zeolite pores exhibit enhanced catalytic activity, high sintering resistance, and uniform active sites distribution. However, their performance is often limited by diffusion constraints. A promising alternative is the emerging class of 2D zeolites, which combine the benefits of traditional zeolite confinement with improved accessibility. These materials, including colloidal suspensions of monolayers, have unique layered structures that enable stronger interactions between the zeolite support and metal nanoparticles. Importantly, 2D zeolites allow for precise silanol engineering, enabling property tuning to meet specific catalytic requirements.This project aims to synthesize a series of 2D zeolites (MWW, IPC, MFI, and FER) and systematically engineer their surface silanols to stabilize metal nanoparticles. It will develop strategies to control nanoparticle size and distribution for optimal catalytic performance while replacing expensive noble metals with cost-effective transition metals such as Ni, Cu, and Zn. This approach seeks to enhance catalytic efficiency while promoting sustainable and economically viable synthesis.Advanced characterization methods will be employed to study these materials. In-situ atomic force microscopy in scanning electron microscopy (AFM-in-SEM) will be utilised to analyse nanoparticle size and spatial distribution on 2D zeolite surfaces, while the use of in-situ heating high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM) will assess the thermal stability of the nanoparticles.The catalysts will be tested in demanding high-temperature reactions (mostly catalytic hydrogenations), to evaluate their stability, activity, and performance. Ultimately, this research aims to establish a comprehensive framework for silanol defect engineering, advancing the design of economically viable and environmentally sustainable zeolite-supported metal catalysts.