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Scientific Papers in SCI



2023


Química de Superficies y Catálisis

Enroute to the Carbon-Neutrality Goals via the Targeted Development of Ammonia as a Potential Nitrogen-Based Energy Carrier

Nawaz, MA; Blay-Roger, R; Saif, M; Meng, FH; González-Arias, J; Miao, BJ; Bobadilla, LF; Ramírez-Reina, T; Odriozola, J.A.
ACS Catalysis, 13 (2023) 14415-14453

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The reliance of a future carbon-free horizon is strongly aligned with the long-term energy storage avenues which are completely derived from renewable energy resources. Ammonia with its high energy content and density can perform as a decent candidate for buffering the short-term storage options. However, the current NH3 production majorly feeding the current huge desire for ammonia is dominated by the conventional nonrenewable Haber–Bosch (H–B) process route, thus continuously damaging the target of carbon neutrality goals. High-purity hydrogen (H2) gas is an essential precursor for the H–B process; however, it is a significant energy consumer (about 2% of the global energy supply) and contributes over 420 million tons of CO2/annum. Therefore, the research on the renewable synthesis of nitrogen-based energy carriers (such as ammonia) from the direct electrochemical, photocatalytic, or plasma catalytic processes; its conversion; and utilization to the potential derivatives has been a hot topic in the past few decades. A prospective analysis of the highly appealing processes has been summarized in this study, which could facilitate the adaption of renewable alternatives as an effective approach for zero carbon emission, paving the excellent pathways along the road to the development of nitrogen-based energy technologies, especially the targeted development of ammonia. Further, this Review covers the current and future impacts of the H–B process, the development of aspiring ammonia synthesis routes (via electro, photo, bio, chemical loop, or plasma catalysis), and its conversion and utilization to the renewable derivatives in terms of fabrication of model catalysts, advanced characterization technology, and efficient device design.


October, 2023 | DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c02410

Materiales de Diseño para la Energía y Medioambiente

Mechanical treatments on design powder ceramic materials: Insight into the textural and structural changes

Osuna, FJ; Fernández, M; Pavón, E; Sánchez, RMT; Alba, MD
Advanced Powder Technology, 34 (2023) 104189

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Mechanical treatment of porous ceramics, such as porous clay minerals, is a crucial step in ceramic processing. Among clay minerals, design swelling brittle micas have shown exceptional properties for further applications, although they exhibit low surface area and porosity. But, their mechanical activation could improve their textural properties and deserves to be investigated. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of gradual grinding in their surface and framework. At short grinding times, the surface area increases and mesoporous and microporous are generated. Long grinding time provokes particle agglomeration with the consequent change in their colloidal stability. At bulk level, framework defects are observed in both tetrahedral and octahedral sheets and increase with the total layer charge.


October, 2023 | DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2023.104189

Reactividad de Sólidos

Negative emissions power plant based on flexible calcium-looping process integrated with renewables and methane production

Ortiz, C; García-Luna, S; Carro, A; Chacartegui, R; Pérez-Maqueda, L
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 185 (2023) 113614

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This paper provides a review of negative carbon capture technologies. Based on these technologies, here it is proposed an innovative negative emissions power plant combining the generation and storage of energy from biomass, photovoltaic, and concentrated solar power, capturing and recovering CO2 by producing H2 or CH4 as green energy carriers. The main features of the system are i) large-scale energy production system with negative CO2 emissions; ii) 100% renewable system based on biomass and solar energy with the possibility of integrating other renewables; iii) synergistic integration of processes and systems; iv) recovery of O2 generated by photovoltaic-driven electrolysis within the process of partial biomass oxycombustion and v) solar-driven limestone calcination. A detailed model of the entire plant is developed to evaluate the integration of the process. The model performance is assessed on an hourly basis throughout the whole year. The base case results show an energy consumption from 1 to 2.1 MJ/kg CO2 to capture 60–77% of CO2 emitted from the biomass plant and green methane production of more than 7500 tons/year. The negative emissions associated with the process are -612 kg CO2/MWh. It justifies the interest in the proposed negative emissions power plant.


October, 2023 | DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113614

Química de Superficies y Catálisis

Low-temperature reverse water gas-shift reaction over highly efficient Cu-hydrotalcites: Mechanistic insights on the role of malachite phase

Alvarez-Hernandez, D; Marin-Sanchez, M; Lobo-Andrades, L; Azancot, L; Bobadilla, LF; Ivanova, S; Centeno, MA
Catalysis Today, 422 (2023) 114235

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Carbon dioxide (CO2) transformation into valuable fuels and chemicals is in most cases a challenge far from readiness nowadays. One possible route for its conversion is the reverse water gas shift reaction (rWGS), crucial for syngas generation and required for the chemical conversion of CO2 to fuels and platform chemicals. In this paper, well organized Cu/Zn/Al structures were proposed as efficient catalysts for rWGS reaction at low tem-peratures. The results of in situ XRD revealed the formation of layered structures such malachite and hydro-talcite. The operando DRIFTS-MS studies of those structure suggests a participation of Cu2+/Cu+ pair in the reaction, promoting the redox mechanism and enhancing the activity at lower temperature. This work also provides a new strategy to design Cu-based rWGS catalysts able to prevent the sintering of active phase.


October, 2023 | DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2023.114235

Química de Superficies y Catálisis

Guaiacol hydrotreatment in an integrated APR-HDO process: Exploring the promoting effect of platinum on Ni-Pt catalysts and assessing methanol and glycerol as hydrogen sources

Jin, W; Gandara-Loe, J; Pastor-Perez, L; Villora-Pico, JJ; Sepulveda-Escribano, A; Rinaldi, R; Reina, TR
Renewable Energy, 215 (2023) 118907

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This study presents an integrated approach combining aqueous phase reforming (APR) and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) for the hydrotreatment of guaiacol, a model compound representing lignin-derived phenols in pyrolysis bio-oils. The APR process enables in-situ H2 generation, eliminating the need for an external hydrogen source. We examine the interplay between metal species, the Pt-promoting effect on Ni-Pt catalyst supported on activated carbon (AC), and the choice of hydrogen source (methanol or glycerol). Amongst the monometallic catalysts, a 1% Pt/AC catalyst notably achieved over 96% guaiacol conversion at 300 degrees C with either hydrogen source. Interestingly, when 0.5-1% of the Ni loading is replaced with Pt, the resulting bimetallic Ni-Pt/AC catalysts demonstrate a significant improvement in guaiacol conversion, reaching 70% when methanol is employed as the hydrogen source. Surprisingly, no comparable enhancement in guaiacol conversion is observed when employing glycerol as the hydrogen source. This observation underlines one of the pivotal effects of the hydrogen source on catalyst performance. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) pinpointed strong Ni-Pt interactions in the catalyst. It also revealed distinctive electronic features of Ni-Pt/AC, which are favourable for steering selectivity towards cyclohexanol rather than phenol when Pt loading is increased from 0.5 to 1%. Moreover, Pt enhanced catalyst stability by inhibiting the oxidation of Ni sites and mitigating Ni-Pt phase sintering. Overall, our findings offer important insights into integrating APR and HDO processes, the promotion effect of Pt, and the importance of hydrogen source selection in terms of guaiacol conversion and catalyst stability.


October, 2023 | DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.118907

 

 

 

 

 

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