Microwave Catalysis for Sustainable Solvent Production from Waste Carbon Resources
Explore microwave-driven catalytic processes to convert waste carbon resources into sustainable solvents. Investigate catalyst performance and process optimization in a multidisciplinary project with industrial collaboration.
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Project Description
Project Overview
Solvents are essential in pharmaceutical manufacturing but contribute significantly to Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. This project aims to establish a circular, sustainable solvent production route by upcycling waste carbon forms such as CO₂, waste plastics, and biomass into high-value solvents.
What You Will Do
You will explore innovative microwave-driven catalysis, designing advanced microwave-responsive catalysts and developing scalable reaction systems. Your research will investigate the interactions between microwaves and catalytic materials, catalyst performance, and optimization of processes to achieve high-purity solvent output.
Expected Outcomes
The project will deliver a novel catalytic process enabling efficient conversion of waste carbon into valuable solvents, bridging catalysis, reaction engineering, and sustainable manufacturing disciplines.
Why This Matters
This project addresses pharmaceutical solvent-related emissions by transforming waste carbon resources into sustainable chemical feedstocks, enabling greener manufacturing and reduced environmental impact. Collaboration with industrial partners will facilitate real-world application and process scale-up opportunities.
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Eligibility
Supervisor Profile
Dr Michael Jie is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London specializing in microwave catalysis, hydrogen technology, plastic waste upcycling, and CO₂ utilization. He leads research in innovative microwave-driven catalytic processes with significant contributions in environmental and sustainable chemistry, supported by an h-index of 17 and over 1,700 citations.