Innovative & sustainable materials
This program has three focus lines:
1. Sustainable materials and synthesis to replace currently applied catalysts, sorbents and materials in general by more sustainable alternatives. This includes precious and rare metal replacements by more abundant ones, limiting the use of critical raw materials, replacing harmful solvents, enhancing material recyclability, etc. using greener synthesis approaches according to the green chemistry principles. The consortium for example aims at reducing the amount of rare metal use by developing supported nanoparticle catalysts and/or completely replacing them by ultimately moving to metal-free catalysts.
2. Material development with a positive impact on current and future processes by process intensification, energy reduction, reducing the use of chemicals, lifetime enhancement, product quality, product recovery and waste prevention, etc.The spin-off recently launched "A-membranes" fits this innovation line with next generation membranes. Application in different sectors both process and end-of-pipe can be expected, including their use as a key technology in program 1.
3. Catalyst adjusted to the new production technologies, which are focused on alternative energy use and renewable feedstocks (see program 3). Currently, the majority of the catalysts are designed for thermal processes. However, alternative reaction paths and different activation by processes driven by direct solar light or technologies operated via electrical energy input, require development of catalysts, adjusted to the working principle of these alternative technologies.
With a view towards integration of the 3 focus lines in an attempt to enhance sustainability of materials and processes, InSusChem targets plasma adjusted catalysts, photocatalysts, photo-electrocatalysts, plasmonic catalysts and innovative electrocatalysts for this program 2.