Porous inorganic microreactors for homogeneous two-phase catalysis: synthesis, characterization and catalytic tests

IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) est un acteur majeur de la recherche et de la formation dans les domaines de l’énergie, du transport et de l’environnement. De la recherche à l’industrie, l’innovation technologique est au cœur de son action, articulée autour de quatre priorités stratégiques : Mobilité Durable, Energies Nouvelles, Climat / Environnement / Economie circulaire et Hydrocarbures Responsables.

Dans le cadre de la mission d’intérêt général confiée par les pouvoirs publics, IFPEN concentre ses efforts sur :

• l’apport de solutions aux défis sociétaux de l’énergie et du climat, en favorisant la transition vers une mobilité durable et l’émergence d’un mix énergétique plus diversifié ;
• la création de richesse et d’emplois, en soutenant l’activité économique française et européenne et la compétitivité des filières industrielles associées.

Partie intégrante d’IFPEN, l’école d’ingénieurs IFP School prépare les générations futures à relever ces défis.

Porous inorganic microreactors for homogeneous two-phase catalysis: synthesis, characterization and catalytic tests

The intensification of two-phase catalysis processes requires an increase in the reactant-catalyst contact surface, continuous operation under pressure constraints, and catalyst recovery. Encapsulation of homogeneous catalyst via sol-gel consolidation of Pickering emulsion can meet these specifications if no diffusional limitation is added by the presence of a porous inorganic wall at the interface. To ensure this, a good control of encapsulation step and a detailed description of the porous architecture set against catalytic performance are essential.

Description

Pickering emulsions are used in two-phase catalysis to improve the contact surface between the reactants and the catalyst contained in immiscible phases. This work aims to intensify processes using homogeneous catalysts by sol-gel encapsulation of the catalyst previously contained in a Pickering emulsion. The porous inorganic microreactors obtained would make it possible to carry out continuous reactions, have better resistance to pressure and allow easier recovery of the catalyst. The reagents are introduced into the continuous phase and pass through the porous wall to meet the catalyst. The products formed, selected as less soluble in the dispersed phase, pass through the wall to migrate into the continuous phase. Thanks to the continuous elimination of products from the dispersed phase where the reaction takes place, a gain in activity and selectivity can be observed.

However, depending on the synthesis parameters of the capsules, the textural properties of the porous wall may vary and a compromise between porosity/thickness/mechanical strength must be found. The internship will therefore focus on improving the synthesis of porous capsules by sol-gel interfacial polycondensation from a Pickering emulsion.

The main objective will be to study the textural properties of different batches of porous capsules using nitrogen physisorption (BET specific surface area, micro and mesoporous volume, pore size distribution, etc.), pulsed field gradient NMR (tortuosity) and mercury porosimetry. The capsules will also be evaluated by the student using a catalytic test: azide-alkyne cycloaddition between phenylacetylene and benzyl azide catalysed by copper(I).

The student will work with Remi Duclos, last year phD student and his supervisors David Proriol and Dina Lofficial.

Required profile

Last year of engineering school or master in material science, catalysis or chemical engineering