Current Collaborative Projects

31. März 2026

Development of descriptors for acetylene hemihydrogenation (FHI, KOFO)

In this project, different supported metal catalysts are synthesized, in detail analyzed, and catalytically characterized under well controlled, standardized conditions. The results serve as input for a data driven machine learning approaches to elucidate suitable descriptors for acetylene hemihydrogenation.

Novel catalysts for acetylene hydrochlorination (CCI, KOFO)

Catalyst development has reached already a high level, since the process is commercialized with an industrial partner. Heteroatom doped carbons seem to have potential as supports for improved catalysts compared to the state of the art.

Novel catalysts for acetylene conversion (CEC, CCI, FHI, KOFO)

Catalysts for acetylene oligomerization and hemihydrogenation are synthesized by conventional methods as well as by thin film techniques, immobilization and mechanochemical approaches. Catalysts are tested at low acetylene concentration and atmospheric pressure and at high acetylene concentration and elevated pressure. Catalysts are characterized in detail to correlate solid properties with performance.

Experimental setup for reactions with pressurized acetylene. (a) Explosion-safe cubicle in the high pressure lab with remote control station. (b) Gas cabinet with CO2 and acetylene (gas) cylinder. (c) Acetone trap with extrudates of zeolite Y and alumina. Inlet shows a spent trap. (d) Two-stage acetylene compressor with water cooling system. (e) Batch reactor (front), flow reactor I (behind) and gas lines with pressure reducers, mass flow controllers and magnetic valves (back). (f) Flow reactor II with online GC underneath. — Experimental setup for reactions with pressurized acetylene. (a) Explosion-safe cubicle in the high pressure lab with remote control station. (b) Gas cabinet with CO₂ and acetylene (gas) cylinder. (c) Acetone trap with extrudates of zeolite Y and alumina. Inlet shows a spent trap. (d) Two-stage acetylene compressor with water cooling system. (e) Batch reactor (front), flow reactor I (behind) and gas lines with pressure reducers, mass flow controllers and magnetic valves (back). (f) Flow reactor II with online GC underneath.

© MPI KOFO

Experimental setup for reactions with pressurized acetylene. (a) Explosion-safe cubicle in the high pressure lab with remote control station. (b) Gas cabinet with CO₂ and acetylene (gas) cylinder. (c) Acetone trap with extrudates of zeolite Y and alumina. Inlet shows a spent trap. (d) Two-stage acetylene compressor with water cooling system. (e) Batch reactor (front), flow reactor I (behind) and gas lines with pressure reducers, mass flow controllers and magnetic valves (back). (f) Flow reactor II with online GC underneath.

© MPI KOFO

Development of descriptors for CO₂ hydrogenation (CCI, FHI, KOFO)

Different synthesis techniques are used for the synthesis of catalysts suitable for CO₂ hydrogenation. The solids are in detail analyzed with various methods, the catalytic performance is studied under various conditions. The results serve as input for a data driven machine learning approaches to elucidate suitable descriptors for CO₂ hydrogenation.

Mechanochemically synthesized catalysts for propane dehydrogenation (KOFO, FHI)

Propane dehydrogenation is a reaction carried out on the industrial scale. In exploratory experiments, it had been discovered that mechanochemically synthesized supported metal catalysts are highly interesting for this reaction. Moreover, also unusual supports accessible by mechanochemistry appear to have high potential for the reaction. This topic is now explored systematically to identify the relevant parameters rendering catalysts highly active.

Bimetallic catalysts for redox reactions (CEC, CCI, FHI, KOFO)

Different redox reactions are of interest to several FUNCAT partners. The different advanced methods available in the teams are used to synthesize bi- and trimetallic catalysts, which are often difficult to obtain via conventional synthetic pathways. The catalysts are tested in the different reactions established in the teams and, if highly performant, characterized in depth to identify properties responsible for good performance.