Environmental Catalysis

INTRODUCTION

Environmental Catalysis Research Group was founded on 1992 by Prof. Consuelo Montes de Correa. The group is currently adscribed to the Engineering Faculty of the University of Antioquia and it is A1 according to the Colciencias classification of 2021.

Group's mission is to promote environmental improvement through the use of catalytic methods for control of gaseous pollutants emissions, as well as development of environmentally friendly routes to obtain products with added value. With this aim the group carries on applied research projects and divulges the knowledge through publications on scientific journals and presentations in national and international events.

As its vission, the group expects to promote with its research the practical application of catalysts to purify the environment and prevent its contamination. The group will serve as a platform for research projects funded by national and international entities and for collaborations with industry and other research groups on issues of practical importance that involve catalytic materials, pollutant analysis, chemical synthesis, biomass transformation and environmentally friendly processes. In addition, it will be recognized at an academic and industrial level as an active research center in applied catalysis for the protection of the environment and the transformation of biomass. Special attention will be paid to the global impact of processes on the environment using tools for life cycle analysis, modeling and simulation of processes to find the most technically, economically and environmentally favorable conditions.

General Objective

To contribute with scientific knowledge and practical solutions to reducing environmental impact through the development of preventive and corrective technologies.

Specific Objectives

1. Design, prepare, characterize and evaluate catalysts that minize or eliminate the negative impacts to the environment generated by the processes.
2. Propose sustainable processes that allow obtaining high added value products for the fine chemical industry from renewable natural resources and waste
3. Identify and evaluate strategies for energy and environmental improvement of processes with emphasis on the use of waste or national raw materials.
4. Develop strategies to minimize pollutant emissions that involve combustion processes in stationary and mobile sources.
5. Produce, divulge and transfer scientific and technical knowledge derived from the projects carried out.
6. To train human resources, especially at the master's and doctoral level in areas of growing interest such as environmental protection, the design of processes and products, and the transformation of biomass.
7. Promote the exchange of researchers through internships, postdoctoral stays and / or expert visits financed by national or international entities.

EVENTS

NEWS

Ranked as A1 group in call 894 of 2021 of Colciencias

Video about Environmental Catalysis Research Group: https://bit.ly/2QMPA5O

SCIENCE monologues (Explora la UdeA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z2LH-hyNmo&list=PL_HkC8-huRmgNYCF1-mxHEQR_EPuxLh_U&index=4

SEMINARS

July 28, 2025

Metal-free ZSM-5-based dendritic zeolite as a catalyst for the isomerization of β-pinene epoxide

Yiceth Carina Mosquera (MSc in Chemical Sciences)

Internship Report

Sara Daniela Pena (Biological Engineering Student, National University, internship at Bioprocol)

August 4, 2025

Dendritic materials: Innovative pathways for a better future

Professor Marta Mediavilla (Professor on research stay)

August 11, 2025

Starch-based hydrogel extracted from avocado by-products and Hedychium coronarium for the encapsulation and controlled release of nutrients

Paola Andrea Díaz (Chemical Engineering Student in Academic Internship)

Training on labeling, storage, and transportation of chemicals

Edwin Alexis Zapata Duque (Environmental Manager, Infrastructure and Logistics Division)

August 18, 2025

Holiday in Colombia

August 25, 2025

Contract results (one pot project)

Luis Fernando Valencia (Research Assistant)

Manufacture of biodegradable kitchen utensils from biopolymers obtained from Hass avocado by-products

Daniela Llano (Chemical Engineering Student in Academic Internship)

September 1st, 2025

Syngas production from CO2-rich streams bymethane tri-reforming on powder and structured Ni/MgO catalysts

Lina María González (professor)

September 8, 2025

Research at Jaume I University

Dr. Julián Sánchez Velandia

Tools for measuring process sustainability

Aída Luz Villa (professor)

September 15, 2025

Modelling of Polyurethane Flexible Foams Density

Juan Carlos Ortiz (Master's Student in Chemical Engineering)

September 22, 2025

Heterogeneous catalytic limonene oxidation

Lic. Amiris Perea (PhD student in Chemical Engineering)

September 29, 2025

Solid acid-basic materials and its applications in catalysis

Edwin Alarcón (professor)

Internship Report

Daniel Alberto Sánchez (CODI Young Researcher)

October 6, 2025

Master's research project topic

Daniel Moreno Cañaveral (Chemical Engineer)

Kinetic study of the cycloaddition reaction between limonene epoxide and CO2 over Zn-SBA-15

Yiceth Carina Mosquera (MSc in Chemical Sciences)

October 13, 2025

Holiday in Colombia

October 20, 2025

Statistical models in experimental designs

Francisco Londoño García (Master's student in Chemical Engineering)

Design of a pilot plant for the extraction of saponins from species of the Solanum genus

German Alfredo Schäfer Elejalde (PhD student in Engineering)

October 27, 2025

CO2 capture capacity of organometallic framework materials (MOFs) synthesized from spent catalysts of the oil refining industry (Advances)

Bibiana Ramírez (PhD student in Chemical Engineering)

Prins reaction with estragole

Tatiana Castro Lugo (Young CODI Researcher)

November 3, 2025

Holiday in Colombia

November 10, 2025

How bad a carbon-based economy really is for climate and how costly are the decarbonization policies?

Felipe Bustamante (professor)

November 17, 2025

Holiday in Colombia

November 24, 2025

Internship Report

Bibiana Ramírez (PhD student in Chemical Engineering)

Encapsulation of Controlled-Release NP Fertilizers in Nanocellulose Extracted from Hedychium coronarium Residues from the Municipality of Quibdó, Chocó (Research Defense Essay)

Juan Carlos Cuesta Caicedo (Master's Student in Chemical Sciences)