PhD Thesis Defence Presentations - Sotirios Tsatsos
Abstract (Περίληψη)
In the present work, the interactions of furfural, a multifunctional molecule, as well as other furanic derivatives, were studied on model monometallic and bimetallic surfaces, with a combination of experimental methods (TPD, LEED, UPS, XPS and VCKP) under UHV conditions and computational approaches (DFT). The primary goal was to explore the surface chemistry of different Ni crystallographic facets, both in terms of activity and selectivity for the hydrogenation of furfural, a biomass derived molecule, to high added value compounds such as furfuryl alcohol and 2-methylfuran. More specifically, we have studied the stepped 5Ni(001)×(111) and the planar Ni(111) surfaces. The effect of modifying the model nickel surfaces with Cu towards the adsorption and the selective hydrogenation of furfural was also studied. Finally, the reactivity of furfural on the model Pt(111) catalytic surface, which corresponds to the most thoroughly studied system, are presented; thus, the results may be utilized as a reference point for the corresponding studies on the monometallic and Cu based bimetallic 5Ni(001)×(111) and Ni(111) surfaces.
Speakers Short CV (Σύντομο Βιογραφικό Ομιλητή)
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (pending)
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras
Thesis title: “The Adsorption and Reactivity of Furfural on Model Monometallic and Bimetallic Catalytic Systems Based on Nickel, Copper, and Platinum”
Advisor: Associate Prof. Georgios Kyriakou
M.Sc. in Material Science & Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras
Thesis title: “Study of WO3/TiO2 Heterostructures with Applications in Heterogeneous Catalysis”
Advisor: Prof. S. Ladas & X. Verykios
Diploma in Chemical Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras
Thesis title: “Interfacial Phenomena in Chromium-Nickel Ultrathin Films Deposited on a Nickel Oxide Single Crystal”
Advisor: Prof. S. Ladas
Bachelor in Physics (pending)
Department of Physics, University of Patras
Working Thesis title: “Entangled Spin Qubits in Traverse Field”
Advisor: Prof. A. Terzis & E. Paspalakis
Publications
S. Tsatsos, S. Ladas, G. Kyriakou, Electronic Properties and Reactivity of Furfural on a Model Pt(111) Catalytic Surface, J. Phys. Chem. C. 124 (2020). doi:10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c07709.
S. Tsatsos, J. Vakros, S. Ladas, X.E. Verykios, G. Kyriakou, The interplay between acid-base properties and Fermi level pinning of a nano dispersed Tungsten oxide - Titania catalytic system, J. Colloid Interface Sci. (2022). doi:10.1016/J.JCIS.2022.01.112.
M.J. Taylor, S.K. Beaumont, M.J. Islam, S. Tsatsos, C.A.M. Parlett, M.A. Issacs, G. Kyriakou, Atom efficient PtCu bimetallic catalysts, and ultra dilute alloys for the selective hydrogenation of furfural, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 284 (2021) 119737. doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119737.
M.J. Islam, M. Granollers Mesa, A. Osatiashtiani, J.C. Manayil, M.A. Isaacs, M.J. Taylor, S. Tsatsos, G. Kyriakou, PdCu single atom alloys supported on alumina for the selective hydrogenation of furfural, Appl. Catal. B Environ. (2021) 120652. doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120652.
D. Zagoraios, S. Tsatsos, S. Kennou, C.G. Vayenas, G. Kyriakou, A. Katsaounis, Tuning the RWGS Reaction via EPOC and in Situ Electro-oxidation of Cobalt Nanoparticles, ACS Catal. (2020). doi:10.1021/acscatal.0c04133.
C. Chatzilias, E. Martino, S. Tsatsos, G. Kyriakou, A. Katsaounis, C.G. Vayenas, Kinetic study of CO2 hydrogenation on Ru/ YSZ catalyst using a monolithic electropromoted reactor (MEPR), Chem. Eng. J. 430 (2022) 132967. doi:10.1016/J.CEJ.2021.132967.
B. Hasa, E. Martino, S. Tsatsos, J. Vakros, G. Kyriakou, A. Katsaounis, Non-precious Sn as alternative substitute metal in graphene-based catalysts for methanol electrooxidation, J. Appl. Electrochem. (2022). doi:10.1007/s10800-021-01648-9.
P. Ntzoufra, J. Vakros, Z. Frontistis, S. Tsatsos, G. Kyriakou, S. Kennou, I.D. Manariotis, D. Mantzavinos, Effect of sodium persulfate treatment on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activity of biochar prepared from spent malt rootlets, J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 9 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.jece.2021.105071.
I. Daskalakis, I. Vamvasakis, I.T. Papadas, S. Tsatsos, S.A. Choulis, S. Kennou, G.S. Armatas, G.S. Armatas, Surface defect engineering of mesoporous Cu/ZnS nanocrystal-linked networks for improved visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production, Inorg. Chem. Front. 7 (2020). doi:10.1039/d0qi01013h.
G. Velegraki, I. Vamvasakis, I.T. Papadas, S. Tsatsos, A. Pournara, M.J. Manos, S.A. Choulis, S. Kennou, G. Kopidakis, G.S. Armatas, Boosting photochemical activity by Ni doping of mesoporous CoO nanoparticle assemblies, Inorg. Chem. Front. 6 (2019) 765–774. doi:10.1039/c8qi01324a.
Conference’s
15th National Catalysis Symposium, Ioannina (Oral presentation)
4th Workshop of Graduates and Postdocs in Chemical Engineering Sciences, Patras. (Poster presentation)
1st Online Conference of Young Scientists "Mineral Resources-Environment Chemical Engineering", Kozani. (Oral presentation)
XXXV Panhellenic Conference on Solid State Physics and Materials Science, Athens (Poster presentation)
13th National Scientific Congress of Chemical Engineering, Patras. (Oral presentation)