Catalysts for demanding environments

The project will develop advanced catalytic coatings for: i) reduction of NOx in oxygen excess, allowing for energy efficient combustion ii) methane oxidation at low temperatures which is needed for natural and biogas combustion iii) harsh environments and high temperature applications Based on recent advances within in-situ surface structure characterization, experiments on monolith or powder catalysts and theoretical modeling, the project will, in addition, supply a hierarchic methodology for catalysts design. The general work plan in i) and ii) will be to prepare and evaluate a first generation of coatings. The structural and catalytic results together with developed theoretical understanding will form the basis of a second generation of catalysts. A validation of the targets obtained by the project will be performed as a final activity. The first activity (mainly theoretical) in iii) will be to identify fundamental materials properties that determine coating stability. An experimental synthesis and evaluation screening will be performed based on the theoretical study. A second generation of materials will be developed on the basis of further theoretical work and the results of the experimental screening. The expected results are a) catalytic coatings with performances significantly better than present formulations, b) a generic design method and c) theoretical models.