NEWS
DON'T MISS THIS PAPER!
Publication alert: “Electronic properties of PVA‑PVAm ligands dictate mechanistic pathways in Au/AC‑catalyzed HMF oxidation” is out in Journal of Catalysis!
In this work, we explored how polymeric stabilizers can tune the electronic properties of gold nanoparticle catalysts, ultimately shaping the reaction mechanism and product distribution in the oxidation of HMF to FDCA — a key step toward more sustainable plastic production. The work provides new mechanistic insights into how stabilizer design can be leveraged to tailor catalytic performance in mild, aqueous conditions.
https://lnkd.in/eRfY7q3q
#Research #Catalysis #Sustainability #Biomass #Nanomaterials #HMF #FDCA #JournalOfCatalysis
PUBLICATION ALERT!
Our work “Continuous production of γ-valerolactone from furfural using optimized catalysts containing Zr and Nb” is now available on #Fuels.
This work reports the development of a bifunctional Zr-based catalyst supported on Nb₂O₅-modified Y-zeolite, enabling the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural into γ-valerolactone through a cascade reaction. The catalyst shows outstanding performance in both batch and continuous-flow operation, achieving the best GVL yields reported to date under flow conditions. The innovative catalyst design and use of sustainable reaction conditions offer a promising route for efficient biomass valorization.
Many thanks to Dr. Adrian Garcia and the team of Prof. Benjamin Solsona in Valencia.
https://lnkd.in/dXuKfaFw
#furfural #heterogeneouscatalysis #GVL #batchliquidphase
NEW PAPER PUBLISHED!
Our latest publication “Furfural Valorization to γ-Valerolactone over Zr/Sn Zeolite-Supported Catalysts in a Liquid-Phase Continuous Flow Reactor” is out in #Energy&Fuels!
This work presents for the first time the combined effect of Sn and Zr in the conversion of furfural (FU) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) by using a single liquid-phase continuous flow reactor. Using alcohols as hydrogen donors instead of molecular H2 represents a promising approach, addressing the high costs and environmental impact of this cascade reaction.
This achievement was made possible through a strong and productive collaboration with Dr. Adrian Garcia and the team of Prof. Benjamin Solsona in Valencia.
https://lnkd.in/dyJrNFHu
PUBLICATION ALERT!
We are thrilled to share our study on CO₂ photoelectrocatalytic conversion, now published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy.
Using CuMg-based Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) as multifunctional materials, we developed active photocathodes that provide both visible-light absorption and catalytic sites. These electrodes enable the conversion of CO₂ into valuable C₂ and C₃ products—such as acetic acid, ethanol, and 1-propanol—under low applied voltage and solar light irradiation. This research highlights the potential of LDHs as versatile, tunable materials for solar fuel production and carbon utilization, marking a step forward in sustainable catalysis and solar-driven carbon recycling.
A huge thank you to collaborators from the Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics (ISSMC) - National Research Council (Alessandra Sanson, Nicola Sangiorgi, Alex Sangiorgi) and from the Center for Sustainable Future Technologies (Marco Etzi).
https://lnkd.in/d7jPqcim
#photoelectrocatalysis #CO2 #CCU
BEST POSTER AWARD AT C3 DAY 2025
Another great result for Care In Process group! Our research fellow Lisa Della Vecchia was awarded with the Best Poster at the 4th edition of C3 Day, a seminar where established and early-stage researchers in the field of catalysis share their latest findings across Academia and Industry.
December, 2025 (Bologna)
LATEST PUBLICATION ON METHANOL HYDROGENATION
We're excited to share our latest high-profile publication: "Identification of Transient Intermediates and Active Species in Atomic CZA Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol". Our recent study on low-metal-loading Copper-Zinc-Alumina (CZA) model catalysts is out on #JACS. Low-metal-loading Cu–Zn/Al₂O₃ model catalysts reveal how Cu and Zn activate CO₂ and H₂ in methanol synthesis. Operando spectroscopy uncovers the active species, highlighting how feed and operating conditions determine the optimal Cu or support-derived sites and their link to key intermediates, guiding the design of more efficient CO₂-valorization catalysts.
December, 2025
CIG 2025: SCIENCE MEETS FUN
From 17th to 20th of September a representation of Care In Process group joined the second edition of 'CIG 2025 - Catalisi In Gioco', held in Reggio Calabria (Italy). The event was organized by the Gruppo Interdivisionale di Catalisi (GIC) della Società Chimica Italiana (among the organization Prof. Tommaso Tabanelli and Andrea Fasolini) and the partecipants developed team projects related to innovative catalytic reactions. From our research group, four PhD students (Giacomo Luzzati, Annamaria Catalano, Giuseppe Salierno and Andrea Bertuzzi) partecipated with their relative projects, winning 2nd and 3rd place, plus the prize for the most original pitch presentation.
September, 2025 (Reggio Calabria)
CARE IN PROCESS AT EUROPACAT 2025
From 31st of August to 6th of September a representation from Care in Process research group attended EUROPACAT, the 16th edition of the European Congress on Catalysis under the auspices of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EFCATS). Prof.ssa Patricia Benito Martin, Prof. Francesco Basile, Prof.ssa Stefania Albonetti and Eleonora Tosi Brandi (Post-doc) partecipated with oral presentations, while Andrea Fasolini and the PhD students Anna Saotta, Fabrizio Lisi, Vittoria Saraceni, Giacomo Luzzati, Andrea Bertuzzi, and Giovanni Malagoli presented their posters.
September, 2025 (Trondheim)
HIGH-PROFILE PUBLICATION BY NIKOLAOS DIMITRATOS
The review 'Hydrogenation of CO2 for sustainable fuel and chemical production', written along with colleagues Jingyun Ye, Liane M. Rossi, Nils Thonemann, and Robert Wojcieszak, was published on Science, and details the state of the art on the crucial topic of carbon dioxide conversion to sustainable chemicals and fuels. Read more at https://lnkd.in/dyhsXJax .
March, 2025 (Bologna)
FABRIZIO CAVANI HONOURED OF THE 'TARGA FAUSER' AWARD
Prof. Fabrizio Cavani was awarded of the 'Targa FAUSER' for his career and contribution to the Industrial Chemistry sector in Italy and worldwide. The aknowledgement was promoted by the Interdivisional group of Catalysis, part of the Italian Society of Chemistry (SCI).
November, 2024 (Bologna)
INSIDE THE EVENT: FUELING TOMORROW
On the 9th of September a representation of CaRe In Process group (Prof. Francesco Basile, Prof. Patricia Benito, Dott. Andrea Fasolini and PhDs Elisabetta Orfei, Fabrizio Lisi, Vittoria Saraceni, Ilenia Giarnieri) partecipated at 'Fueling tomorrow'. The event was organized by Prof. Francesco Basile and focused on novel national strategies for green hydrogen production in both industrial and academic research.
October, 2024 (Bologna)
ANDREA FASOLINI WINS THE GRASSELLI AWARD
During the 28th National Congress of Italian Chemistry Society, held in Milan last August, our RTD-A Andrea Fasolini was entitled of the Robert Karl Grasselli memorial award for the results obtained in the field of heterogeneous catalysis applied in continuous-flow, gas-phase processes, with the dissertation 'Ce and Zr based oxides as useful supports and materials for gas phase H2 production and utilization'.
The prize is sponsored by the 'Gruppo Interdivisionale di Catalisi' of the Italian Chemical Society (SCI).
August, 2024 (Milan)
OUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ICC 2024
In July our researchers and PhD students attended ICC Lyon, the 18th edition (2024) of the International Congress on Catalysis. Prof. Patricia Benito Martin, Prof. Francesco Basile, Tommaso Tabanelli, Jacopo De Maron and Andrea Canciani partecipated with oral presentations, while Anna Saotta, Luca Visentin, Elisabetta Orfei, Michele Offidani, Ilenia Giarnieri, Alessandro Allegri and (again) Tommaso Tabanelli presented their posters.
July, 2024 (Lyon)
MEETING WITH PAUL ANASTAS
Worldwide known as the 'father of Green Chemistry', Paul Anastas visited the University of Bologna 'Alma Mater Studiorum' for the aknowledgement of his honorary degree in Chemistry.
During his carrier Anastas has brought attention to research priorities for the development of green chemistry technologies. In collaboration with John C. Warner, the two scientists published a set of principles to guide the practice of green chemistry. The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry (1998) address a range of ways to lower the environmental and health impacts of chemical production and have significantly altered the landscape of the chemicals industry in the United States and other countries.
The visit of Paul Anastas consisted in three main events:
- April 9th: round table”Future Green Chemistry - achievements, challenges and perspectives“ (with the participation of Prof. Fabrizio Cavani from the Department of Industrial Chemistry).
- April 11th: “Pursuing Newtopia: the chemistry of a future worth striving for“ - meeting with chemistry students and researchers.
- April 12th: 'Laurea ad Honorem' award ceremony
April, 2024 (Bologna)
A CAREER IN CATALYSIS: FABRIZIO CAVANI
The celebrative article of the impressive career of our colleague and mentor prof. Fabrizio Cavani is out now on ACS Catalysis!
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.3c03982*__;Iw!!I_2dWM2CSg!5Rz7iPOqsmPgIbUYdDvpfc89-BmjEXouCkoZyKMShWVk-b8dkA6xhyPpvl3nYvolPENewWluUwLA0203dQO64UXe49dMhOYJKw$
"A Career in Catalysis: Fabrizio Cavani", Tommaso Tabanelli, Rita Mazzoni, Nikolaos Dimitratos, José M. López Nieto, Jean-Marc M. Millet, Lorenzo Grazia, Carlotta Cortelli, Jan Schütz, Werner Bonrath, Stefania Albonetti, and Ferruccio Trifirò.
October, 2023
NOW AVAILABLE:
The new book on the on the fundamentals of industrial chemistry “Fondamenti di chimica industriale”, of F. Cavani et al. and edited by Zanichelli.
EVENTS AND AWARDS:
Robert Karl Grasselli memorial award (2021 edition) for the results obtained in the field of heterogeneous catalysis applied in continuous-flow, gas-phase processes. Prize sponsored by the Gruppo Interdivisionale di Catalisi of the Italian Chemical Society (SCI). Venice, 10th September 2021, oral presentation.
Galileo Galilei Giovani international award (2021 edition) for the results obtained in the field of Sustainable Chemistry and Environmental Science, sponsored by Rotary Association (District 2072) in collaboration with Fondazione Premio Galileo Galilei. Ravenna, 19th June 2021.
“Catalisi in Gioco, CIG-2021” - an innovative contest for Ph.D. students and young researcher (post-doc) focussed on catalysis, green chemistry and biorefinery concepts sponsored by the Interdivisional Group of Catalysis of the Industrial Chemistry Division (SCI), Gruppo Giovani of the Italian Chemistry Society, INSTM consortium, Novamont S.p.A (contest official Website: https://cig2020sci.wixsite.com/catalisiingioco). Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, 27th to 30th of July 2021.