Research projects

One of the major challenges facing society is the transition from an economy based on fossil fuels as the energy source to one based on renewable energies. Biomass stands out among the latter, and as well as energy it may also provide interesting chemical products.

This project evaluates furfural derivates (platform molecules from biomass) in energy applications (Diesel and hydrogen) and furfurilic alcohol (a chemical compound with multiple applications, including the productions of fibres and resins or use as a solvent). For this purpose, C5 and C6 sugars are used with multifunctional heterogeneous catalysts (with acid/basic centres, metallic and photoactive), in "one-pot" processes which create the desired products. Additionally, the promotion of processes by means of unconventional radiation such as ultrasound and microwaves will be studied.

The use of "one-pot" reactions or in cascade will reduce the processes of separation and thereby help to reduce costs for industrial use. This project responds to one of the main aims of the technological platform for Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem) and Horizon 2020: process intensification.