BrainMap

Mrs. Mihaela Diana Lazar

Dr.

Researcher - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: not public

Curriculum Vitae (27/04/2020)

Expertise & keywords

TiO2 nanotubes/graphene-based nanomaterials to address the emerging contaminants pollution Call name: EEA Grants - Proiecte Colaborative de Cercetare
RO-NO-2019-0616 2020 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); University of South-Eastern Norway (NO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/graftid/

Abstract:

For the past century, the environment suffers from rapid deterioration due to the explosive development of chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Large quantities of drugs, personal care products, detergents, pesticides, food additives have been released in the aquatic system. The pollutants of emerging concern are not yet monitored and well regulated by authorities while there is an increased awareness of their impact on human health. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2018 states that “An estimated 80% of all industrial and municipal wastewater is released to the environment without any prior treatment, resulting in a growing deterioration of overall water quality with detrimental impacts on human health and ecosystems”. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) based on photocatalysis are the most powerful and viable alternative to the conventional wastewater treatment technologies that still have some limitations (e.g., high operation costs, energy consumption, or reduce efficiency due to the chemical stability of pollutants and/or the complexity of their degradation). Thus, the development of solar-driven catalysts with improved photocatalytic activity for the environment-friendly and facile treatment of aquatic systems remains an important target to environment remediation.

Hybrid Solvent – Membrane for post-combustion CO2 capture and utilization Call name: EEA Grants - Proiecte Colaborative de Cercetare
RO-NO-2019-0379 2020 - 2023

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); SINTEF AS (NO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU GEOLOGIE SI GEOECOLOGIE MARINA - GEOECOMAR (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://co2hybrid.upb.ro/

Abstract:

CO2-HyBrid focuses on the validation of CCS technologies in large CO2 emitting industries. This will allow a 20% more efficient CO2 capture process compared to state-of-the-art capture technologies. The main objective of CO2-HyBrid is the validation of a hybrid solution based on a pre-concentration step using membrane processes and a capture stage by chemical absorption. Two types of membrane and two solvents will be used to produce 2 hybrid configurations to be tested in two pilot plants with different characteristics of industrial flue gases (coal / natural gas plant and waste-based pilot plants). The CO2-HyBrid project aims to raise the level of membrane technologies and the hybrid solution to TRL 6. Through this synergy, the benefits of both technologies will be exploited and will result in CO2 elimination costs of 15-25 EUR / ton for many industrial processes. It is also intended to demonstrate the reliability and flexibility of the solution in order to obtain a high purity of carbon dioxide to be used in various industries but also stored in saline aquifers.

CO2 methanation by MOF based / derived ordered mesoporous catalysts Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1447 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/co2omc

Abstract:

Methanation of CO2 is receiving a revived scientific and technological interest: chemical storage of renewable energy as CH4 (Power-to-Gas concept), combined with the use of CO2 (CO2 capture and utilization) bring both an energetic and an environmental advantage. Highly efficient CO2 methanation catalysts, with good CH4 selectivity should have catalytic functionalities ensuring both CO2 and H2 activation. In this context, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), – a class of extended coordination networks obtained by assembling metal centers to organic linkers – could ensure enhanced dispersion of active metals inside their ordered porous structure, while their gas sorption and storage capacity could be beneficial in respect to CO2 activation.

The main objective of the project is the development of ordered mesoporous MOF-based and MOF-derived Ni catalysts with enhanced catalytic and operational performance in the methanation of CO2. Two strategies are pursued: (a) nucleation of MOF crystals on preshaped solid macrostructures (MOF-based catalysts), and (b) sacrificial use by thermolysis of MOFs to form MOF-derived structures, which inherit the characteristics and properties of the original MOF (high surface area, ordered porous structure, uniform distribution of constituent elements). Thus, after Ni nanoparticle incorporation, ordered mesoporous catalysts could be obtained, with enhanced mass transfer (better accessibility of active sites) and heat integration (better conductive heat transfer) in the catalytic bed. MOF-based and MOF-derived ordered mesoporous Ni catalysts will be structurally, morphologically and functionally characterized, while catalytic tests will pursue the evaluation of catalytic performance under differential and integral conditions, at different temperatures, CO2:H2 ratios, or flow conditions. Stability tests will allow the evaluation of the catalysts life time, while deactivation possibilities might be investigated and regeneration methods proposed.

Implementation of the platinum group metals recovery technology from car catalytic converters Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2019-0606 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNION CO SRL

Project partners: UNION CO SRL (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.unionco.ro/implementarea-tehnologiei-de-recuperare-a-metalor-din-grupa-platinei-continute-in-convertori-catalitici-auto/

Abstract:

The purpose of the project is to expand the activity for exploring of waste recovery containing noble metals from the platinum group, by transferring and implementing their recovery technology from car catalysts or ceramic catalysts from the automotive, chemical, petrochemical industries, etc., on an existing of noble metal recovery technological line.

The main objective is to expand the recovery capacity of the noble metals in the platinum group from different catalysts in the automotive industry.

In order to achieve the proposed purpose, the following secondary objectives will be considered:

O1. Optimization of laboratory chemical technology

O2. Adaptation and transfer of laboratory technology to an existing technology line

O3. Optimization of the purification of the obtained noble metals

Metal doped Metal-Organic Frameworks for Energy Storage Call name:
PN-II-ID-JRP-RO-FR-2015-0025 2016 - 2019

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est (ICMPE) (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/memos/index.htm

Abstract:

Syngas from biogas using combined steam and dry reforming on Ni based bimodal pore catalysts Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2016-0349 2017 - 2018

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/pncdi/syncat/

Abstract:

Biogas is one of the most important renewable biofuels produced at large scales from a wide range of biological wastes. It consists in a mixture of multiple gases with CH4 and CO2 as main components in different ratios depending on the starting raw materials and conditions used for its production. The biogas is not used to generate fuels (methanol or superior liquid fuels), although contains the necessary constituents, mainly due to the low economic efficiency of the reformation process. The main objective of the present proposal is to develop a laboratory scale validated method to transform simulated biogas in synthesis gas with appropriate composition for methanol and liquid fuels synthesis (with H2:CO ratio 2:1) using new bimodal Ni based catalysts. The research will combine: (a) combined steam and dry reforming of methane process, (b) CH4:CO2 ratio from the real biogas and (c) Ni based bimodal catalysts, to give a reliable, laboratory scale validated method to produce syngas from biogas. Silica and alumina based bimodal catalysts promoted with a second oxide (MgO, CaO, ZrO2, CeO2, La2O3) will be prepared and characterized by several methods (BET, XRD, TEM-SEM, temperature programed processes, in-situ DRIFT). The bimodal pore structure is expected to improve the catalytic process because large pores provide rapid access of the reagents to active sites and the small pores provide higher surface area, while the second oxide is expected to contribute to a better metal dispersion and better metal-support interaction. NH3-TPD, CO2-TPD, in-situ DRIFT measurements will give information about the catalytic process related to catalyst structure. Catalytic tests will be developed to establish the optimum catalyst and reaction conditions to make the reformation process more energetic efficient. The catalyst deactivation will be studied in terms of carbon deposition and metal nanoparticles sinterization.

Formic acid/carbon dioxide, a couple for renewable catalytic hydrogen storage Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-1326 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/ru143/Home.htm

Abstract:

The growing need for energy requires development of new energy sources/carriers and more efficient utilization of energy. Hydrogen is the ideal energy carrier due to its natural abundance and non-polluting nature.

The development of hydrogen storage technologies for mobile applications still requires overcoming some technical barriers.

Different hydrogen storage paths have been envisaged: from the classical storage technologies, namely pressurization and cryogenic liquefaction, to the solid phase storage in metal hydrides, or physisorbed on a solid surface (metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks) and the organic liquid hydrogen carrier (LC) under ambient conditions.

Chemical hydrogen storage can became competitive if the storage material fulfils some requierements: high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen content under ambient conditions, energy-efficient reversible charge and discharge, the absence of byproducts, long-term stability, low toxicity, easily available at a large scale and at a low price. The challenge is to find suitable organic carriers.

Formic acid is a promising candidate for reversible hydrogen storage. The aim of this project is to study formic acid decomposition/formation using a new type of catalysts: metallic nanoparticles confined in metal-organic frameworks, to exploit the nanoparticles confinement and the nanoscale properties for reactions of formic acid dehydrogenation and carbon dioxide reduction under mild conditions.

Hydrogen production from hydroxylic compounds resulted as biomass processing wastes Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0452 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO); REVIVA IMPORT EXPORT SRL (RO); ROKURA SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/hycat/Home.htm

Abstract:

Demand for hydrogen (H2) will grow up in the next decades due to the technological advancements in fuel cell industry which permit its transformation in electricity and heat without generating polluting gases. At present, almost 95% of the world’s hydrogen is being produced from fossil fuel based feedstock. A more environmental friendly alternative is to replace fossil fuels by biofuels as raw materials for hydrogen production. Biomass is renewable and, although carbon dioxide is still produced, it may be recycled to new biomolecules by photosynthesis, resulting a carbon neutral cycle. An even more economical approach would be the hydrogen production from bio-fuels wastes. The main objective of this project proposal is to develop a laboratory scale technology and experimental set-up to produce hydrogen by steam reforming of hydroxylic compounds resulted as wastes in biomass processing or prepared from wastes of biomass. The main problem in the hydrogen production from glycerol wastes resulted in biodiesel fabrication process is the presence of impurities in crude glycerol which (i) impeded the performance of the catalyst and (ii) cause a severe catalyst deactivation. Our project proposes two approaches to overcome these problems: (1) to establish an economically viable method to partially purify the crude glycerol and (2) to test and find new multicomponent catalysts based on Ni with better activity and resistance to deactivation. A catalytic technology for hydrogen production from biofuel wastes and an experimental set-up at laboratory scale will be provided at the end of the project. The proposed project has strong interdisciplinary character which: (i) combines in a coherent manner knowledge from various fields: chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, chemical reaction engineering, (ii) connects the fundamental and applicative research from National Institutes (CO and P2) and Universities (P1) with research developed by economical entities (P3) and by end-users of developed technology (P4).

Graphene-metal nanoparticles based electrodes for detection of pharmaceutical pollutants Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0125 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/idei125/index.htm

Abstract:

Graphene-based materials have recently attracted considerable interest both from the experimental and theoretical scientific communities. Graphene is a monolayer of sp2 hybridized carbon atoms which are packed into a honeycomb crystal structure. Due to their exceptional thermal and mechanical properties as well as high electrical conductivity, graphene sheets have a variety of applications in battery, field-effect transistors and electromechanical resonators. Their applicability as biosensors has now started to emerge, due to significant advantages over the classical electrodes, such as electrocatalytic effect, enhancement of mass transport and high effective surface area.

This project proposal brings up novelties through the original method used to obtain nanostructured material (graphene-metal nanoparticles composite) as well as through the way of its application (detection and degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants). This project has a multidisciplinary research area. The research activities within this project will provide: (a) new approaches for preparation of graphene-metal nanoparticles composite; (b) explanations about the intriguing properties associated with graphene-metal nanoparticles composite; (c) experimental solutions related to the assembly of metal nanoparticles on graphene platelets; (d) application of graphene-metal nanoparticles composite in electrocatalytic detection of two pharmaceutical pollutants: carbamazepine and captopril

Issues and challenges for hydrogen storage in composites with metal-organic frameworks Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0350 2011 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/idei350/Home.htm

Abstract:

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a new class of crystalline materials exhibiting extremely high porosity, attracted attention as hydrogen-storage materials, similar to the best activated carbons at 77K. However, for applications in transportation a high H2 sorption capacity at ambient temperatures with low adsorption/desorption enthalpy are required. The promising results for room temperature H2 adsorption on MOFs composites with Pt/activated carbon recently reported were assigned to ‘‘spillover” effect but the controversy raised due to contradictory literature results is still open and needs to be solved due to its possible high impact on hydrogen storage.

The goal of the project is to assess the enhanced hydrogen adsorption reported in literature and to find new materials and methods to improve the H2 storage in solid state materials. New approaches for building the intimate contact at the interface of MOF with metal/support catalyst will improve the knowledge of the routes and methods with positive effects on hydrogen adsorption by MOFs based composites. Systematic studies will be performed on MOF/catalyst composites, employing alternative and complementary methods, with emphasis on: controlled ball-milling procedure, influence of the catalytic metal (Pt, Pd, Ni) or support, direct synthesis of different MOFs on catalyst, validation of hydrogen uptake measurements, identification of the major factors implied in the hydrogen transfer at the MOF/catalyst interface.

Synthesis of high purity graphene by CCVD-IH method on noble-metal catalyst for studying DNA oxidation Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0129 2011 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice si Moleculare (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/idei129/index.htm

Abstract:

This project proposes the identification of parameters necessary to obtain in a single step synthesis high-purity graphenes, decorated with Au or Pt nanoparticles. To accomplish this task, we propose the development and study of novel Au or Pt supported on MgO catalytic systems, that can be used in the inductive heating-CCVD method, to grow composites of graphenes and Au/Pt nanoparticles. We propose to study the influence of the synthesis conditions on the morphology of the graphene layers and the uniformity of Au/Pt nanoparticles distribution throughout the graphitic structure. The integration of the noble metal nanoparticles (Au, Pt) into the graphitic structure of layers, rather than just attaching them chemically on the graphitic surface, has some major advantages related to the electronic properties, better structural integrity, and better distribution uniformity. Finally, the graphenes decorated with Au or Pt nanoparticles will be used as active components into highly sensitive electrochemical electrodes to study the oxidation processes of adenine, guanine and DNA strands. These studies could be the foundation for the development of new technologies with high sensitivity and specificity towards the understanding of various bio-chemical reactions that could include the DNA degradation. Moreover, the results of this study could be integrated in technological platforms used for the detection of various deseases and medical conditions.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects