Research Topics

Adsorption and diffusion processes are strongly affected by the pore systems and surface properties of nanoporous materials. Physical adsorption on solids is determined by interaction of molecules in the fluid phase with a given surface. Pore geometries and surface functionalities ... [more]

High surface area materials serve as catalysts or supports for active species. There are typically synthesized via precipitation, sol-gel processing, or flame processes. “Exotemplating” is a versatile alternative, e.g., using porous carbon matrices as hard templates. The pores of the carbon matrix... [more]

Solids with ordered mesopore arrangement can be synthesized either via soft- or hard-templating methods. Typical materials that are obtained via soft-templating are MCM-41 or SBA-15 silicas. Amorphous silica walls are condensed ... [more]

Irradiation of a semiconductor photocatalyst with light of appropriate wavelength results in the excitation of an electron from the valence band into the conduction band, leaving a positively charged hole in the valence band. This electron then ... [more]

Zeolites comprise a class of crystalline, microporous solids. They are mainly based on aluminosilicates, the structure of which are formed by corner-sharing SiO₄ and AlO₄ tetrahedra. Presence of three-valent ... [more]