Working group on catalysis aims to deepen the understanding of chemical processes
A new working group at LINXS, under the theme New Materials, aims to gain a deeper understanding of catalysts at an atomic level, and help solve the mystery of how catalysts actually work.
– No one really knows all the intricate details of how catalysts work. To try to resolve that, we are studying the catalytic processes on an atomic scale, “live”, i.e. when the catalyst is active and working, to identify what is happening and why, says Sara Blomberg, assistant professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Lund University, and leader of the catalysis working group.
A catalyst is a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a faster rate than usual or under different conditions. Catalysts are used in almost every industrial process today, and help turn raw materials to products such as plastics, paint and clothing. However, catalysts are expensive to produce, since they are made out of precious metals.
– In our working group, we want to tackle current challenges with catalysts. Can we, by gaining more in-depth knowledge, identify ways to make catalysts more efficient? Or identify new materials, with good properties, to substitute the expensive metals? The goal is to make industrial processes more efficient overall.
Key to accelerate transition to a fossil free society
According to Sara Blomberg, their work can be of crucial interest to industries and researchers working to accelerate the transition to a fossil free society. One example of the importance of catalysts is in the hydrogen production from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, biomass or water. Hydrogen can then be used in fuel cells to produce electricity that can power cars, buses and commercial buildings –without any emissions, making hydrogen into a sustainable fuel alternative.
– The processes for producing hydrogen from renewables, need to be developed and made more cost and energy efficient for sustainable sources to be more widely used. Here, new types of catalysts can play a major role, in helping industries switch to renewable sources.
– We hope to contribute with more detailed understanding and knowledge, and in that way help industries. To do that, the industry needs to be engaged and participate in the working group, which is something we aim to do in our group.
LINXS – a space for far-reaching and unconditional discussions
Sara Blomberg says one aspect that excites her about the new working group is the possibility for more far-reaching and unconditional discussions, with both researchers and industry. Since the theme duration is quite long, and open ended in its framing, it allows for broader perspectives to be brought to the table, than other type of research projects.
– Within the Theme and this working group, we have a unique possibility to discuss overarching questions centered around ways to improve catalytic processes in general.
Another area Sara Blomberg is exploring within the LINXS theme is on how to transfer industrial conditions to neutron and x-rays facilities.
– I am interested in how to perform experiments at synchrotrons and neutron spallation sources that mimic industrial conditions. For example, we are aiming to follow reactions on an atomistic scale while the catalyst is at work, so-called operando measurements. Many catalytic reactions occur at harsh conditions that requires robust reactors and challenging sample environments.
The fact that time is limited at the facilities is another factor researchers need to take into consideration, as well as different technological conditions from facility to facility.
– I believe that knowledge on the vast possibilities that MAX IV and ESS can offer is of crucial interest to industry researchers and society as a whole. If we can perform experiments on various catalytic reactions using both neutrons and x-rays, we expect to gain a much deeper understanding of how the processes work on an atomic level.
– I’m looking forward to discuss with other researchers in the field! Networking and collaborations is important, and often an efficient way to solve problems and achieve new insights, she concludes.
Sara Blomberg is assistant professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Lund University, and leader of the catalysis working group. Photo.