Course in Environmental Catalytic Chemistry

Kiyotaka NAKAJIMA, Prof.、Satoshi SUGANUMA, Associate Prof.、
Ryota OSUGA, Assistant Prof.

Laboratory HP

Catalytic Chemistry、Green and Sustainable Chemistry、Biomass Conversion

Building a sustainable society requires a different paradigm using renewable carbon resources such as non-edible biomass and carbon dioxide to produce fuels and platform chemicals in future chemical industries. Our vision is to design catalytic reactions using new heterogeneous catalysts and Lignocellulose-derived hydrocarbons, in which scalable production of platform chemicals can be accomplished while minimizing environmental load and energy consumption. Latest topics include the synthesis of C2-C4 hydrocarbons from glucose aiming at fuel production, and the production of diols/diamines/dicarboxylic acid from glucose used as monomers of functional biomass plastics. Our key word is “novel catalytic reactions that contribute to smart utilization of renewable carbon resources”. We welcome those who are interested in catalytic biomass conversion to realize sustainable development of our society.

Satoru TAKAKUSAGI, Prof.、Kotaro TAKEYASU, Associate Prof.、Bang LU, Assistant Prof.

Laboratory HP

Catalytic Science、Surface Science、Synchrotron Radiation Science

In order to realize the super-smart society required by Society 5.0, a deep understanding and precise control of surface chemical processes, such as catalytic reactions that synthesize desired substances with extremely high efficiency and electrochemical reactions that convert electrical (chemical) energy to chemical (electrical) energy without loss, are needed.
In our laboratory, we use advanced surface analysis techniques such as scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and synchrotron X-ray measurements to visualize catalytic and electrochemical reaction processes at the atomic level. We can elucidate their mechanisms and obtain guidelines for their control by directly “seeing” the reaction processes, and then answer why the catalyst/electrode material shows good performance and what should be done to achieve higher performance for the material.