Chiara studied new catalytic processes for the conversion of carbon dioxide into fuels (e.g. methanol) and chemicals (e.g. esters and polymers). Her research explores the application of alternative reactor configurations to standard fixed bed systems for the development of sustainable tandem reactions. Project optimisation is based on the design of novel materials to be used as selective catalysts for CO2 conversion. Fundamental aspects as catalysts structure-activity relationship are investigated by applying in situ under operando conditio spectroscopic measurements and by performing kinetic analysis.
Before joining the Laboratory for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry group, Chiara worked as PDRA in Advanced Materials for Sustainable Energy Production Group at the University of Edinburgh, after completing her PhD in Chemical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University with a thesis based on the catalytic hydrogenation of biomass-derived chemicals.