Welcome to the website of the Catalysis Group within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Patras.

The team focused its research interest in the synthesis, physicochemical characterization and evaluation of solid supported catalysts with high dispersion of the supported phases used for environmental protection as well as for renewable energy and green products production. In this context the following are the main achievements of the group:

• The development of an innovative catalyst preparation technique called “Equilibrium Deposition Filtration" (EDF).
• The discovering of two modern methods (“potentiometric mass titrations”, “differential potentiometric titrations”) frequently used now-days for the determination of the point of zero charge (pzc) of solids.  
• The discovering of the mechanism of protonation of solid materials in aqueous suspensions.
• The discovering of the mechanism of deposition of chemical species of catalytically active ions at “support/aqueous solutions interface” allowing the scientific synthesis of solid supported catalysts.
• The joint use of surface and interface science for a deeper understanding of catalyst preparation.
• The utilization of the above for the successful application of preparation techniques (EDF, co-precipitation, deposition-precipitation, incipient wetness impregnation, wet-impregnation) in the synthesis of very active and selective catalysts for:

• The environmental protection: hydrodesulphurization of petroleum fractions, selective reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia, photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.
• The production of biofuels through upgrading of fatty materials to green diesel.
• The preparation high value-added products from biomass: production of synthesis gas from biogas and utilization of terpenes.

History

The Catalysis Group was founded in 1983 by Professor Emeritus Dr. Alexis Lycourghiotis, who led the group until 2014. Professor Emeritus Dr. Christos Kordulis then assumed leadership, directing the group until 2025. Both continue to support the group in their roles as senior advisors.