The group is actively involved in several research lines for innovative catalysis.

    Automobile catalysts constitute one of the main activity streams and studies for systems operating at stoichometric, lean and hybrid conditions are under analysis. In stoichiometric conditions, effort is put to investigate the behavior of classical TWC (A. Martínez-Arias et al. Journal of Physical Chemistry B 104 (2000) 4038) as well as new formulations based on the use of Ce-Zr mixed oxides (see M. Fernández-García, et al. Journal of Catalysis 194 (2000) 385; Applied Catalysis B. Environmental 31 (2001) 39). On lean conditions, the work is centered on the analysis of silver-promoted alumina systems (A: Martínez-Arias et al. Applied Catalysis B, Environmental 28 (2000) 29). Finally, some work is now started to examine the behavior of hybrid Pt/BaO on alumina systems (J.A. Anderson et al. Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis 130 (2000) 131).

   Other lines of collaboration with external groups on the field of  heterogeneous catalysis involve CO hydrogenation, methane activation, the oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes or  the theoretical analysis of metal centers behavior in proteins or the semiconductor chemistry.

    Photocatalysis is the second main subject of the group studies. The analysis of VOCs elimination is investigated using nanosized titania powders (A. Maira et al. Applied Catalysis B, Environmental 29 (2001) 327) or, more recently, Ti based mixed oxides (A. Fuerte et al. Chemical Communications (2001) 2178). Work is done using Ultra-violet and/or visible light excitation.

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Financial Sources
 

A.-  CICYT (Spain)

“Mejora de las propiedades fotocatalíticas de anatasa para la degradación de compuestos aromáticos en fase gas”.
Ref.: MAT2001-2112-C02-01.
Investigador responsable: Javier Soria Ruiz

“Catalizadores multicomponente para descontaminación de gases de escape de vehículos automóviles”.
Ref.: MAT2000-1467 (2000-2003).
Investigador responsable: José Carlos Conesa Cegarra.

“Nuevos conceptos para un incremento significativo de la eficiencia de los dispositivos fotovoltaicos: la supercélula solar”.
Ref.: 2FD97-0332-C03-03 (1998-2001).
Investigador responsable: Antonio Luque López.
 

B.- Other National Sources

“Utilización de luz solar para degradación de VOCs mediante procesos foto-catalíticos”.
Ref.: Ayuntamiento Coslada, Madrid (2001-2002).
Investigador responsable: Marcos Fernández García.
 

C.- European Community

“Removal of Pollutant emissions from Gasification Products Streams by Heterogeneous Photocatalytic process”.
Ref.: CECA 7220-ED-093 (1997-2001).
Investigador responsable: Javier Soria Ruiz.