Nanoengineering of sulfide catalysts for biomass valorization

Tighter regulations on the consumption of fossil fuels are currently driving the market for bio-oils derived from liquefaction or pyrolysis processes. To make them compatible with conventional fuel bases, bio-oils are stabilized via a moderate hydrodeoxygenation step involving sulfide catalysts. The search for active, selective and stable catalysts for these reactions is currently a key challenge, requiring prior rationalization of the relationships between the properties of sulfide phases and their catalytic performance in hydrodeoxygenation reactions. This highlights the need to master the synthesis of these catalytic materials and to explore innovative synthesis routes.
In this context, the main objective of this thesis topic will be to develop new methods for the colloidal synthesis of mono- or bimetallic sulfide phases, focusing on group VIII metals (Ni, Co, Fe) in order to precisely control the size, morphology, crystallographic phase and composition of the synthesized sulfides. After advanced characterization by microscopy and spectroscopy, these materials will be evaluated for the hydrodeoxygenation reaction of guaiacol, as a molecule representative of the reactivity of a bio-oil. The ultimate aim will be to identify catalytic descriptors in order to establish a correlation between structure, electronic properties and activity/selectivity in the HDO reaction.

Keywords: Catalysis, nanoparticles, sulfides, biomass

• Academic supervisor    Dr. Virgile ROUCHON, IFPEN, ORCID : 0000-0001-8520-1378
• Doctoral School    ED 206 - Chimie, Procédés, Environnement, Université de Lyon
• IFPEN supervisor    Dr. Etienne GIRARD, ORCID : 0000-0002-0358-4131
• PhD location    IFPEN, Lyon, France
• Duration and start date    3 years, starting in the fourth quarter 2025 (Novembre 3)
• Employer    IFPEN 
• Academic requirements    University Master’s degree in materials chemistry, nanoparticles or catalysis  
• Language requirements    English level B2 (CEFR) with willingness to learn French  
• Other requirements    Characterization of advanced materials

To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to the IFPEN supervisor indicated here below.