Contacts:
Supervisor(s):
Prof. Anna Maria Raspolli Galletti and Prof. Luca Rosi (Università di Firenze)
Title of the PhD project:
Thermochemical and catalytic processes for the sustainable production of biofuels through biomass conversion.
Abstract of the PhD project:
The depletion of fossil fuel resources and their adverse environmental impacts have increased the international efforts to increase the use of more sustainable energy sources. In this context, the conversion of biomass into biofuels has paid better attention. Lignocellulosic biomass is considered the most biorenewable material on earth and the most promising raw material for biofuel production. In particular, biomass from industrial wastes or natural residues have paid more attraction as low-cost feedstock.
The composition of lignocellulose depends on the nature of biomass, however, it can be divided into three main components: cellulose (38-50%), hemicellulose (23-32%), and lignin (15-25%). These fractions can be exploited as starting materials for the production of biofuels through chemical conversion and thermochemical treatments. This PhD project aims to the valorization of low-value biomasses for the production of biofuels. This will be achieved through the chemical conversion of lignocellulose under catalytic conditions and with thermochemical processes, such as pyrolysis, gasification, and catalytic hydrothermal or solvothermal treatment. The obtained compounds will be characterized by analytical, spectroscopic, and spectrometric techniques. Engine experimental activity will be also performed to evaluate the influence of biofuels produced on engine performances.
Publications:
- Internship period for the Master's degree:
• L. Bonaldi, M. Bortoluzzi, S. Zacchini, G. Pampaloni, F. Marchetti and L. Biancalana; Triazine Chalcogenones from Thiocyanate or Selenocyanate Addition to Tetrazine Ligands in Ruthenium Arene Complexes Addition to Tetrazine Ligands in Ruthenium Arene Complexes. Inorg. Chem. 2023, 62, 7814-7833.
Oral communications at conferences
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Poster communications at conferences:
• “Integrated valorization of marine residue Posidonia Oceanica balls for the production of value added chemicals”, L. Bonaldi, S. Fulignati, F. Barsotti, N. Di Fidio, C. Antonetti, D. Licursi, C. Lardicci, E. Balestri, A. M. Raspolli Galletti. CFF 2023- Chemistry for the Future, Pisa, 28/06/2023-30/06/2023.
• “Gasification of paper mill waste: a low-value feedstock for sustainable energy production”, L. Bonaldi, R. Lorè, S. Fulignati, G. Flori, S. Frigo, C. Antonetti, A. M. Raspolli Galletti. X Workshop GC-CS, Firenze, 06/10/2023.
• “Chemical and thermochemical approaches for sustainable energy production starting from waste biomasses”, L. Bonaldi, S. Fulignati, R. Lorè, G. Flori, S. Frigo, C. Antonetti, A. M. Raspolli Galletti. MYCS23- Merck Young Chemist Symposium, Rimini, 13/11/2023-15/11/2023.
Other achievements:
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