| Summary: |
The main motivation of this project is to explore the reactivity of carbon surfaces by developing a novel family of multifunctional and partially doped catalysts. The originality and complexity of the project derives from having on the same nanostructure both a hydrophobic (undoped) and a hydrophilic portion (doped with one or more heteroatoms). These new materials will be able, in particular, to act as tensioactive agents and therefore capable of stabilizing biphasic emulsions, while catalyzing reactions in the liquid-liquid interface. The presence of heteroatoms (such as N, S, P or B) on the surface provides additional basic or acidic properties to the support (co-catalysis). Furthermore, I plan to use these materials as supports to selectively deposit different metals on the hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic section (particles located at the hydrophobic end will catalyze reactions in the organic phase, while those which are placed on the hydrophilic side will catalyze reactions in the aqueous phase). Finally, by controlling the basal plane/edge surface ratio and doping level, I expect to be able to finely modulate the electronic interaction between metal and support. These catalysts will then be tested in a one-pot tandem system for the preparation of fine chemicals and biomass valorization, with perspectives towards environmental remediation and energy storage and conversion. |