The MULTIPOR team is aiming to design and synthesize hybrid and composite porous materials with controlled dimensionality and morphology at the nanoscale for applications in Separation Science and Stereoselective Synthesis (S4) as well as gas storage and separation (GSS) for a technological step-forward in key areas of modern chemistry and material science and device implementation. The MULTIPOR consortium will operate for the bottom-up tuning of tailored porous architectures selected from the following materials: covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) and silica-based multiscale structures. These materials featured by tunable porosity and amenable for chemical functionalization will be combined with monolayer/few-layer graphene samples, the latter acting as hosting substrates and macroporous framework. The resulting hybrids and composites will allow a fine control of the porosity at the nano, micro and meso-scale hence making feasible each foreseen application within the project. The gained control over the materials porosity will find application within different but concrete technological fields: novel stationary phases for separation techniques, functional materials for stereoselective synthesis in flow systems and gas storage technology. While the latter mainly lies on the proper dimensions of the pores, the former require a suitable functionalization of the inner part of the lattice. The issues addressed in the MULTIPOR project are among those strongly emphasized within the European Commission’s roadmap aimed to foster a rapid and green transition (European Green Deal) towards a new industrial economy founded on the development of smart functional materials and their controlled engineering to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050.
Gas storage and separation are fundamental goals of the Italian PNRR plan intended to improve the long term sustainability of the energetic italian system, through the progressive decarbonisation of industrial activity. This plan foresees the development of solutions based on the production, transport and storage of eco-sustainable hydrogen [M2C2: RENEWABLE ENERGY, HYDROGEN, NETWORK AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSITION AND MOBILITY] as well as the production of energy from local renewable sources, such as biomass and biogas [M2C1: CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE]. Indeed, PNRR is going to finance the development of 1 GW of electrolysis, as well as the production and transportation of hydrogen.
The project will be carried out by four research units that have already established an international collaboration network on themes related to MULTIPOR blueprint.
The scientific infrastructures available to MULTIPOR promoters support the production and characterization of the targeted materials listed in the proposal and will ease the interactions with local and national enterprises.