Progetti PRIN 2022 “FUTURO”

PRIN 2022 “FUTURO”

PRIN: PROGETTI DI RICERCA DI RILEVANTE INTERESSE NAZIONALE – Bando 2022

Abstract- Dissemination of the result achieved

---

Abstract

The project introduces the co-production of green hydrogen and decarbonized chemicals through the electrochemical reforming of green feedstock and waste biomass recovery. Electrochemical reforming involves the oxidation of alcohols or sugar molecules at the anode of an electrolysis cell with H2 evolution at the cathode electrode. No oxygen is evolved reducing the risk of explosion from mixing with H2. Moreover, electrochemical reforming offers the possibility to produce H2 at high pressure, virtually eliminating energy-costly multistage compression. The product(s) of the alcohol oxidation are valuable industrially relevant mono or multi-carboxylate compounds (e.g. lactate and acrylate). The project will achieve its goal by developing and synthesizing molecular catalysts that have multiple advantages compared to metal-based nanoparticles: (1) Every single metal atom of the molecular complex is involved in the reaction, which may considerably reduce metal loading; (2) the rational design and optimization of molecular catalysts offer better selectivity and reactivity control, avoiding poisoning species. Molecular catalysts will be based upon transition metals with appropriate organic ligands that form organometallic complexes through metal ligand bonding. The molecular catalysts developed will be supported on conducting electrodes. In addition, a fundamental understanding of electrocatalytic pathways will be obtained through theoretical kinetic/thermodynamic studies with an integrated theoretical-experimental approach. Such studies will also help in designing the composition of the molecular complexes. Finally, optimized molecular catalyst electrodes will be fabricated and tested in complete electrolyzer supplied with biomass derived alcohols.

Keywords: Electrochemistry, Green Hydrogen, Molecular design, Green Chemistry, Uses and recycling of biomasses, Catalytic reactions

 

Dissemination of the result achieved

The dissemination of articles and communication about the project results are used to create awareness about the benefits and set the base for interaction with key stakeholders in the industry sector. Major communications are listed below.

Publications in scientific peer reviewed journals

A. Girimonte, A. Stefani, C. Mucci, R. Giovanardi, A. Marchetti, M. Innocenti, C. Fontanesi. Electrochemical Performance of Metal-Free Carbon-Based Catalysts from Different Hydrothermal Carbonization Treatments for Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Nanomaterials 14 (2024) 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14020173.

 

S. Gilioli, R. Giovanardi, A. Gemelli, A. Severini, F. Roncaglia, A. Carella, F. Rossella, D. Vanossi, A. Marchetti, R. Carmieli, C. Fontanesi, L. Pasquali, M. Montecchi, C. Ferrari. Charge‐transfer complexes: halogen‐doped anthracene as a case of study, Chemistry A European J (2024) e202400519. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202400519.

 

V. Monini, M. Bonechi, C. Bazzicalupi, A. Bianchi, P. Gentilesca, W. Giurlani, M. Innocenti, A. Meoli, G.M. Romano, M. Savastano. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution catalysed by an atomically precise catalyst based on a Pd( II ) complex supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Electrochemical and structural considerations, Dalton Trans. (2024) 10.1039.D3DT03947A. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3DT03947A.

 

F. Biffoli, D. Vanossi, E. Venuti, T. Salzillo, M. Bonechi, M. Innocenti, M. Pagliai, C. Fontanesi. Charge Transfer in Molecular Cocrystals: A Plane Wave vs Localized-Orbital View─Structural Information Obtained from Calculated Raman and IR Phonons, J. Phys. Chem. C 2024, 128  14046–14055. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03470

 

Posters & oral presentations in scientific conferences

(oral) F. Biffoli, M. Bonechi, M. Pagliai, A. De Luca, C. Fontanesi, M. Innocenti. Chiral and Achiral Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Conductors: A Theoretical Study on Vibrational Polaron Signature and Conceptualization of the Chiral Polaron Signature. 37th Topical Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry “Electrochemical Energy for a Greener and more Sustainable Future Society” Stresa, Italy, 9-12 June 2024.

 

(poster) M. Bonechi, F. Biffoli, L. Lari, W. Giurlani, M. Savastano, A. Bianchi, A. Meoli, I. Maggini, M. Innocenti. Upcycling of Electroplating Industries Waste Waters: Pd-decorated Carbon Black and Graphene Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction. 37th Topical Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry “Electrochemical Energy for a Greener and more Sustainable Future Society” Stresa, Italy, 9-12 June 2024.

 

(poster) M. Verrucchi, W. Giurlani, A. Pelagatti, G. Pappaianni, E. Mariani, C. Bazzicalupi, M. Innocenti. Variables evaluation on electrodeposition of palladium hydrides for hydrogen storage. 37th Topical Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry “Electrochemical Energy for a Greener and more Sustainable Future Society” Stresa, Italy, 9-12 June 2024.

 

(Poster) G. Pappaianni, F. Montanari, W. Giurlani, C. Fontanesi, G. Mazzoleni, M. Innocenti. Electrodeposition of Thin Films and Nanostructures of Metals on ndoped monocrystalline Silicon for Energy Applications. 37th Topical Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry “Electrochemical Energy for a Greener and more Sustainable Future Society” Stresa, Italy, 9-12 June 2024.

 

(poster) M. Bonechi, M. Savastano, F. Biffoli, C. Fontanesi, R. Kowalik, A. Bianchi, M. Innocenti. Advancements in Atomically Precise Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Insights into Electrochemical Activity and Structural Dynamics of a Pd(II) Complex Catalyst Supported on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. XXVIII National Congress of Societa Chimica Italiana “Chemistry elements of future” SCI 2024. Milan 26th-30th   August 2024.

 

https://www.lea.unifi.it/    -  http://www.iccom.cnr.it/  -   https://prin.mur.gov.it/Home

---