Hybrid molecular catalysts for industrial-scale H2 production from C1-substrates at near ambient conditions: Opportunities and challenges

Title : Hybrid molecular catalysts for industrial-scale H2 production from C1-substrates at near ambient conditions: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract:

Within the context of the forthcoming Hydrogen-Economy, catalytic H₂-production under mild, near ambient P, T, conditions from C1-substrates e.g. HCOOH, HCHO, MeOH, represents highly potent technology. A key foreseen challenge is H₂-production at high-rates i.e. Kg H₂/hour, complying with industrial-scale needs. Formic Acid (HCOOH, FA) has been already identified as an efficient H₂-storage carrier, demonstrating that catalytic FA dehydrogenation is currently an advanced H₂-production approach. Herein we discuss Hybrid-Catalytic materials based on Transition-Metals-Molecular-Catalysts, demonstrating high performance and selectivity with H₂-production rates >>10³Lt/Kg catalyst/hour. We will present innovative Hybrid Molecular Catalysts for FA dehydrogenation developed by metal-complex catalysts grafted on appropriate solid matrices, which allow large-volume, continuous production of H₂, for several weeks, under ambient P, T. These Hybrid Molecular Catalysts emerge as a next generation technology i.e., when catalysts’ efficiency is asked to be combined with their reusability, cost efficiency and stability. Herein we discuss highly efficient Hybrid Molecular Catalysts associated with nanoparticles, polymers, or fibers for H₂ production from HCOOH, HCHO, or CH₃OH with zero CO. Mechanistic insights will be highlighted regarding the role of initial Hydride-Metal species formation, the role/need-or-not of cocatalysts, the contribution of the support matrix, the role of inhibitory factors. Finally, we will focus on the techno-economical aspects connected with synthesis routes and key factors as metal precursors, ligands, solvents, additives in order to identify limitations that impede a putative future implementation. 
Audience Take Away: 

• Hybrid Molecular Materials represent versatile active materials for innovative applications
• Efficient, durable catalytic materials for H₂ production are of high interest for research community.
• Catalytic process can gain efficiency, catalysts’ reusability, and stability by using appropriately developed Hybrid Molecular Catalysts
• Specific synthetic challenges posed by large scale H₂ production will be discussed, including mechanistic aspects, techno-economical aspects.

Biography:

Maria Louloudi is a Professor at the Chemistry Department of University of Ioannina, Greece, head of the Laboratory of Βiomimetic Catalysis and Hybrid Materials (http://catalysis.chem.uoi.gr). She has worked as research fellow at University Rene Descartes/CNRS, Paris, France. Her research focuses on the development of hybrid catalysts based on molecular complexes associates with nanosurfaces, functional materials, antioxidants and biomimetics. H2 production form C1 substrates is among the key-research topics in her lab aiming to establish connection of laboratory technologies with industrial production of H2. In addition, her research includes understanding of the physicochemical basis catalytic mechanisms in connection with redox, plasmonic photoexcitations, and thermodynamic aspects.  She has published >110 research articles and holds 18 Patents in functional materials.