Andrea Braga

Dual-function materials (DFMs) prepared by a sustainable dry milling procedure can efficiently capture CO₂ and produce syngas by reforming with CH₄. Yet, significant CH₄ cracking also occurs, leading to carbon buildup and a high H₂ : CO syngas ratio.

Optimisation of milling parameters (precursor nature and milling intensity) for the preparation of Dual-Function Material (DFM) multi-component systems for CO₂ capture and methanation by exploiting a statistical design of experiments approach.

Under mild acid treatment, LaMnO₃ generates different Mn oxide species segregated on a defective La_1−xMnO_3−δ perovskite. These MnO_x/LaMnO₃ nanocomposites shows superior CO oxidation activity compared to the pristine perovskite.

Mechanochemical synthesis for the preparation of bimetallic catalysts is gaining increasing interest, and in recent years, some important milestones have been reached. However, the complexity of mechanochemically prepared bimetallic supported catalysts still leaves many open questions that need a systematic approach to be solved. In this work, we summarize our experience of mechanochemically milling bimetallic catalysts, introducing some key parameters that should be taken into account, particularly the thermal stability and hydrophilicity of precursor salts, and the effect of the milling order, highlighting the differences with wet synthesis methods. Finally, we will provide some suggestions on the application of the design of experiments approach to the rationalization of the milling procedure for the preparation of supported bimetallic catalysts.

Efficiently treating methane emissions in transportation remains a challenge. Here, we investigate palladium and platinum mono- and bimetallic ceria-supported catalysts synthesized by mechanical milling and by traditional impregnation for methane total oxidation under dry and wet conditions, reproducing those present in the exhaust of natural gas vehicles. By applying a toolkit of in situ synchrotron techniques (X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption and ambient pressure photoelectron spectroscopies), together with transmission electron microscopy, we show that the synthesis method greatly influences the interaction and structure at the nanoscale. Our results reveal that the components of milled catalysts have a higher ability to transform metallic Pd into Pd oxide species strongly interacting with the support, and achieve a modulated PdO/Pd ratio than traditionally-synthesized catalysts. We demonstrate that the unique structures attained by milling are key for the catalytic activity and correlate with higher methane conversion and longer stability in the wet feed.