Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, Energy and Manufacturing (SUSChem)

Sustainable chemistry is crucial to the design of products and processes that minimize deleterious effects in the environment, reducing the consumption of resources and preventing pollution. The United Nations considered these topics vital under the 2030 Agenda, bringing sustainable chemistry issues into force by stimulating research in the area.
CQE has strong know-how aligned with the EU priority areas namely Environment, Energy, and Manufacturing. Some specific objectives of the thematic line are:

ENVIRONMENT research:

A- Implementing strategies and analytical methodologies to assess and promote the quality of environmental systems

B- Promoting integrated environmental research to better understand the biogeochemistry, fate and impact of priority pollutants 

C- Modeling the behavior of actinides in the environment, as associated to the main stages of nuclear fuel cycles

D- Developing protective coatings and methodologies for replacement of chromate-based surface treatment

ENERGY research, primarily in the:

E- Use of non-conventional energy sources for catalytic conversion to improve selectivity and energetic yields of heterogeneous catalytic transformations

F- Synthesis of a novel array of materials displaying pseudocapacitive behavior for power-oriented electrodes

G- Development of electrode materials based on transition metal compounds (e.g. oxides, hydroxides) synergistically combined to achieve high energy density

H- Production of graphene containing composites for high rate supercapacitors

I- Synthesis of new highly emissive organic/organometallic electroluminescent compounds for Organic Light Emitting Diode devices (e.g. for general lighting)

MANUFACTURING research, not only in the synthesis of new materials but also in the processes involved:

J- Activation/valorization of greenhouse pollutants using different types of metal catalysts for value-added products (e.g. syngas, SNG, CH3OH)

K- Synthesis of new supported & heterogeneous catalysts, allowing recyclability and higher yields for production of chemicals & use of H2O as solvent

L- Development of new Mixed Matrix Membranes based on MOFs impregnated with Ionic Liquids (ILs) for improved gas separations and visible light activated catalysts for energy conversion

M- Recovery of Rare Earths and refractory metals from secondary sources using ILs

N- Use of mechanochemistry as sustainable solvent-free synthetic technique for synthesis of pharmaceuticals and Bio-MOFs O- Development of IoNanofluids for heat transfer applications in chemical processes, based on green ILs and nanomaterials

P- Production of new insulator materials from biomass residues

The research goals of the TL encompass training of young researchers and collaboration with industry. Outreach activities such as knowledge and technology transfer will be implemented. Due to the societal importance of the topic, conferences and training aimed at the general public and the educational community are also foreseen.