Abstract:
Tahreem Saleem, a highly motivated and dedicated Ph.D. student in Chemical Sciences at the University of Milano-Bicocca, working on the research project, “Conversion of waste materials into catalysts for sustainable hydrogen production,” at the ENEA Casaccia Research Centre in Rome. Building on a strong academic foundation, I completed my M.Phil. and BS in Chemistry with high distinction from prestigious institutes in Pakistan. My passion for the subject extends beyond academia, as I have also gained practical experience as a Chemistry Lecturer. My ultimate ambition is to dedicate my career to full-time research, contributing to innovative solutions in materials science and energy.
Biography:
The treatment and disposal of biomass and plastics are crucial for waste management and recycling. Pyrolysis stands out as a thermal technique for converting waste into fuels with a high concentration of hydrogen [1]. Ni-based catalysts have been investigated because of their superior catalytic performance [2].
This study conducts experimental research on the co-pyrolysis of Oxyphenol Lignin (OL) and Nylon 6 (PA6) at different weight ratios with 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2, for the synthesis of a biochar catalyst using Ni as metal modifier to enhance catalytic activity. To obtain a homogeneous mixture, the biomass and plastic material were solubilized in appropriate solvents. The resulting solutions were then mixed, dried, and, after the addition of nickel salt and copper salt, subjected to pyrolysis. Pyrolysis was carried out in a nitrogen environment at 450°C for 30 minutes.
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to evaluate the resultant metal-doped biochars. TGA analysis showed the stability of the synthesized catalytic biochar. TGA analysis showed the stability of the synthesized biochar catalysts. XRD analysis and AFM analysis revealed significant structural modifications in the carbon matrix due to metal incorporation. And FTIR analysis examined the chemical reactivity and functional group
changes during the entire pyrolysis procedure. Tests on the catalytic activity of the synthesized materials was verified in the methane reforming for hydrogen production are in progress.
References
- Li, L., et al., Research on the mechanism of hydrogen production by catalytic fast co-pyrolysis of cotton stalks and polypropylene: An experimental and theoretical study. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2024. 191: p. 107459.
- Li, J., et al., Hydrogen-Rich gas production with the ni-La/Al2O3-CaO-C catalyst from co- pyrolysis of straw and polyethylene. Catalysts, 2022. 12(5): p. 496.
