Sintesi e caratterizzazione di idrossiapatiti funzionalizzate con Cu verso la reazione di ossidazione del monossido di carbonio

This master's thesis aims to investigate the catalytic potential of copper-functionalized hydroxyapatites in the context of carbon monoxide oxidation. The synthesis of copper-substituted hydroxyapatite was achieved through a wet method employing ion exchange processes. Characterization of the synthesized materials and exploration of their catalytic activity were carried out on two experimental scales: laboratory-based and synchrotron-based. In the laboratory-scale investigations, a multiple approach was employed. First, the specific surface area of the materials was determined through BET analysis. Next, general structural characterization was performed using X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD). The catalytic activity of the prepared samples in the presence of oxygen (O2) and carbon monoxide (CO) gases flow was evaluated using gas chromatography coupled with a dedicated reactor chamber. Different temperatures were applied to assess their effectiveness as catalysts, providing valuable insights. In the synchrotron-based experiments, X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) was utilized for real-time structural characterization during the catalytic reaction. Additionally, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was employed to elucidate the local characteristics of the copper atoms involved in the catalytic process, facilitating a detailed structural analysis of various samples. These synchrotron experiments were conducted at the Swiss-Norwegian beamline BM31 at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. The findings from this research provide an understanding of the structural and catalytic properties of copper-functionalized hydroxyapatites, shedding light on their potential as catalysts for the critical carbon monoxide oxidation reaction.