Lucas Changretta

One of my core research directions involves using functionalized MOFs to tune the local microenvironment around Pd active sites for acetylene selective semihydrogenation. I focus on the influence of ligand substituents on the electronic structure of active sites, the regulation of pore environments on adsorption/diffusion of acetylene, ethylene, and hydrogen, and the structure-performance relationships of Pd single atoms, clusters, and nanoparticles. Key metrics include acetylene conversion, ethylene selectivity, stability, TOF/TON, and mechanistic understanding via XPS, XAS, in-situ characterization, H-D exchange experiments, and DFT calculations.

I also investigate the role of Cu-based or MOF-derived metal sites in methanol dehydrogenation to methyl formate, particularly how different valence states of Cu⁰/Cu⁺ species influence reaction pathways and product selectivity. Research focuses on the relationship between Cu species evolution and catalytic performance, the impact of acetylene, reducing agents, and thermal treatment on active site formation, and the role of MOF/ligand environments in Cu dispersion, stabilization, and transformation. Mechanistic hypotheses are built through XRD, XPS, IR, and GC data analysis.

Beyond thermocatalysis, I explore MOF-based composites for CO₂ photoreduction, focusing on how MOFs combined with semiconductors, perovskites, or other functional materials influence photogenerated carrier separation, CO₂ adsorption/activation, and product selectivity. Key areas include the role of MOFs in CO₂ enrichment and activation, the effect of metal nodes, ligands, and defects on photocatalytic performance, interfacial charge transfer in MOF/semiconductor heterostructures, and systematic characterization of photocatalytic products, sacrificial agents, stability, and mechanisms.