References

Partner: Leibniz Institute  for Catalysis, Germany

CEET-CNT, in collaboration with international colleagues and researchers from the CATRIN institute at Palacký University Olomouc, has developed a breakthrough nanomaterial based on the widely available mineral chalcopyrite. By harnessing solar energy, the material can significantly accelerate and reduce the cost of aniline production, a key feedstock used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, plastics and dyes. The technology replaces expensive metals such as gold and platinum with a substantially more efficient and cost-effective solution, reducing both energy consumption and dependence on scarce raw materials. The discovery, published in the prestigious journal Nature Nanotechnology and protected by an international patent, is already attracting considerable interest from European investors due to its strong commercial potential and alignment with the principles of green chemistry.

Partner’s Note

„Catalysis, specifically heterogeneous catalysis, is a highly interdisciplinary field of research that enables the production of all kinds of everyday products in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. For our research group at the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock, Germany, collaboration with Professor Radek Zbořil‘s team in this area is very important, as the expertise of both parties is complementary. Prof. Zbořil and his colleagues have fantastic know-how in the preparation and characterization of new nanostructured materials, which we are applying to industrially important chemical transformations, including the development of processes that are necessary for the valorisation of waste, carbon dioxide, etc.“

Prof. Matthias Beller, Leibnizův institut katalýzy v Rostocku

Partner’s Note

„Carbon dioxide can be converted electrochemically into useful chemicals or energy sources such as formic acid, carbon monoxide, ethylene, ethanol or methane using suitable nanomaterials. We will focus on graphene-based nanomaterials enriched with suitable metals, which have been prepared in the past by colleagues in Ostrava and Olomouc. Our joint effort will be to increase the conversion efficiency and to develop new monoatomic materials so that carbon dioxide valorisation technologies can find application in real practice. We can build on our long-term cooperation, which has proven itself in the past and led to a number of significant results.“

Prof. Paolo Fornasiero, Univerzita v Terstu

Partner’s Note

„By working with CEET-CNT laboratories on specific development tasks, we are increasing the level of knowledge and new experience in our company. I firmly believe that the results and benefits of our cooperation will very soon start to be seen in winning contracts in the UK market and wherever passive public transport safety plays an important role. The cooperation within the region has been highly effective and for me personally it has been, and still is, an interesting experience and also a pleasure that we have achieved many things together, even better than we originally expected.“

Roman Kučera, Vitesco Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o

Partner’s Note

„A joint solution in collaboration between CEET--CNT academia and the industrial enterprise has contributed to the use of micro-arc oxidation technology to prepare wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant oxide layers. The design, and the solution itself, was based on a long-standing collaboration in the field of surface modification of trauma and orthopaedic implants on titanium alloys. A ceramic coating on Al-Si alloys was developed for the automotive and mechanical engineering industry, meeting the mechanical and corrosion performance requirements while achieving low operating costs and environmentally friendly operation of the technology.“

Ing. Vít Michenka, VÚHŽ a.s.