NANOLEFINS:

Code: ΤΑΕΔΚ-06169

Acronym: NANOLEFINS

Duration: 04/2022 – 07/2025

Budget: 999.532.16 €

Scope

NANOLEFINS aims to develop innovative materials and low-cost simplified processes for the production of light olefins, the most important raw material for a wide range of valuable products and one of the key processes of the petrochemical industry, through the sustainable utilization of industrial CO₂ emissions and “renewable” H₂. This objective is planned to be achieved through the synergy and complementary expertize of participating academic (UoWM, TUC, AUTH), research (FORTH) and industrial (MIRTEC, HELBIO) beneficiaries toward the efficient design of innovative multifunctional materials and devices for the chemical.

Objectives

• The rational design, development and evaluation of highly active, selective and durable multi-functional catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation to olefins 

• The employment of low cost, practically applicable and facile synthesis methods, which will allow the fine-tuning of local surface structure toward the maximization of olefins yield 

• The fundamental understanding at atomic-level of structure – performance relationships obtained by conventional and advanced operando characterization methods.

• The development of structured catalytic systems (monoliths, pellets) of high mechanical strength, high porosity and low pressure drop based on the optimum nanocomposites.

• The development of a pilot plant/reactor for the CO2 hydrogenation to light olefins reaction (scaling> 50x compared to the lab-scale unit)

• The elaboration of a techno-economic assessment and life cycle analysis of the NANOLEFINS integrated process for practical applications.

• The dissemination of results through publications in leading peer reviewed journals and national/international conference proceedings and the exploitation of the proposed technology for commercial applications.

Partners

• University of Western Macedonia (UoWM) - https://www.uowm.gr/ 

• Technical University of Crete (TUC) - https://www.tuc.gr/ 

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) - https://www.auth.gr/ 

• Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) - https://www.forth.gr/ 

• EBETAM S.A. - https://www.mirtec.gr/ 

• HELBIO S.A. - https://metaconsa.metacon.com/ 

Roll and TUC Involvement:

• WP1: Materials Synthesis and Characterization 

• WP2: Catalytic Evaluation & Surface/Mechanistic Studies

• WP3: Development of structured Catalysts

• WP4: Techno economic Assessment – Life Cycle Analysis – Dissemination 

Publications in peer-review journals: 

1. A.G. Margellou, E. Mandela, M. Lykaki, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, K.S. Triantafyllidis, "Iron-Substituted Zn-Al LDH-Derived Mixed Oxides: Tailoring Structure, Composition and Redox Properties for Efficient CO₂-to-Olefins Conversion", submitted October 2025.

2. E. Mandela, A.G. Margellou, A. Kotsaridou, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis and K.S. Triantafyllidis, "Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH)-Derived Mixed Oxides for Enhanced Light Hydrocarbon Production from CO₂ Hydrogenation", Catalysts 15 (2025) 323.

3. S. Stefa, M. Lykaki, G. Varvoutis, M. Zografaki, V.D. Binas, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Facile preparation of triangular-like polycrystalline ceria as supporting carrier in catalysis exemplified by Ni/CeO₂ catalyzed oxidation and hydrogenation reactions", Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment 10 (2025) 100243.

4. M. Lykaki, S. Stefa, G. Varvoutis, V.D. Binas, G.E. Marnellos and M. Konsolakis, "Comparative Assessment of First-Row 3d Transition Metals (Ti-Zn) Supported on CeO₂ Nanorods for CO₂ Hydrogenation", Catalysts 14 (2024) 611.

5. M. Lykaki, E. Mandela, G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, G.E. Marnellos & M. Konsolakis, "State-of-the-art thermocatalytic systems for CH₄ and CO production via CO₂ hydrogenation: critical comparison, mechanistic considerations and structure-performance insights", Discover Chemical Engineering 4 (2024) 11.

6. M.A. Vasiliades, C.M. Damaskinos, M. Lykaki, S. Stefa, V.D. Binas, T. Kentri, S. Boghosian, M. Konsolakis, A.M. Efstathiou, "Deciphering the role of nano-CeO₂ morphology on the dry reforming of methane over Ni/CeO₂ using transient and isotopic techniques", Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy 350 (2024) 123906.

7. G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, P. Oikonomou, C.-D. Andreouli, V. Stathopoulos, M. Lykaki, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Fabrication of highly active and stable Ni/CeO₂-nanorods wash-coated on ceramic NZP structured catalysts for scaled-up CO₂ methanation", Journal of CO₂ Utilization 70 (2023) 102425.

8. G. Varvoutis, M. Lykaki, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Recent Advances on Fine-Tuning Engineering Strategies of CeO₂-Based Nanostructured Catalysts Exemplified by CO₂ Hydrogenation Processes", Catalysts 13 (2023) 275.

9. G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, E. Mandela, M. Konsolakis, G.E. Marnellos, "Recent advances on CO₂ mitigation technologies: On the role of hydrogenation route via green H₂", Energies 15 (2022) 4790.

10. G. Varvoutis, S.A. Karakoulia, M. Lykaki, S. Stefa, V. Binas, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Support-induced modifications on the CO₂ hydrogenation performance of Ni/CeO₂: The effect of ZnO doping on CeO₂ nanorods", Journal of CO₂ Utilization 61 (2022) 102057.

     

Publications in conference proceedings 

1. A. Kotsaridou, A. Margellou, E. Mandela, S. Tsoumachidou, M. Konsolakis, G. Marnellos, K. Triantafyllidis, "Development of Zn-Fe-Al mixed oxides for the conversion of CO₂ to light olefins", 12^th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management (CYPRUS 2025), 25-28 June 2025, Paphos.

2. A. Kotsaridou, E. Mandela, S. Tsoumachidou, A. Margellou, M. Konsolakis, G. Marnellos, K. Triantafyllidis, "Influence of second transition metal on the activity of Fe-Al mixed oxides on the catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂", 19^th International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment (ICCE 2025), 8-12 June 2025, Belgrade.

3. D. Ipsakis, G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, C. Athanasiou, M. Lykaki, E. Mandela, T. Damartzis, S. Papaefthimiou, M. Konsolakis and G.E. Marnellos, "Economic Evaluation of Novel C-Zero Processes for the Efficient Production of Energy, Chemicals, and Fuels", Proceedings 121 (2025) 13, 4–5 June 2025, 1^st SUSTENS Meeting (virtual).

4. A. Kotsaridou, A. Margellou, Ev. Mandela, M. Konsolakis, G. Marnellos, K. Triantafyllidis, "CO₂ hydrogenation to light olefins over Fe-based mixed oxides derived from layered double hydroxides", 13^th International Conference on Environmental Catalysis (ICEC 2025), 2-5 June 2025, Sicily.

5. M. Konsolakis, "Size and Shape Effects in Catalysis Exemplified by Ceria-based metal oxides", Keynote Lecture, 17^th Panhellenic Symposium of Catalysis, 8-10 October 2024, Paphos, Cyprus.

6. E. Mandela, M. Lykaki, A. Loufardaki, C. Koutsoukou, V.D. Binas, M. Konsolakis and G.E. Marnellos, "CO₂ hydrogenation to Light Olefins over Iron Oxide Nanoparticles of Distinct Morphology", 17^th Panhellenic Symposium of Catalysis, 8-10 October 2024, Paphos, Cyprus.

7. M. Lykaki, S. Stefa, G. Varvoutis, V.D. Binas, G.E. Marnellos and M. Konsolakis, "CO₂ hydrogenation over 3d transition metals supported on ceria nanoparticles", 17^th Panhellenic Symposium of Catalysis, 8-10 October 2024, Paphos, Cyprus.

8. A. Kotsaridou, A. Margellou, E. Mandela, M. Konsolakis, G. Marnellos, K. Triantafyllidis, "CO₂ Hydrogenation to Light Olefins Over Layered Double Hydroxides Derived Mixed Oxides", 23^rd Panhellenic Chemistry Conference, 25-28 September 2024, Athens.

9. A. Ioannidou, N. Ntavos, S. Douvartzides, M. Konsolakis, S. Papaefthimiou, D. Ipsakis, "Optimal design and energy management in RES-H₂ hybrid systems", 5^th Symposium on Circular Economy and Sustainability, 17-19 June 2024, Chania.

10. E. Mandela, A. Margellou, K. Triantafyllidis, M. Konsolakis, G.E. Marnellos, "CO₂ Hydrogenation towards Light Olefins over iron-based LDH-derived catalytic systems", 14^th Panhellenic Chemical Engineering Conference, May 29-31, Thessaloniki, Greece.

11. E. Mandela, G.Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, A.G.S. Hussien, A.A. Dabbawala, K. Polychronopoulou, M. Konsolakis, G.E. Marnellos, "Effect of citric acid concentration on the synthesis of highly selective Ni/CeO₂ catalysts on low temperature CO₂ methanation", 14^th Panhellenic Chemical Engineering Conference, May 29-31, Thessaloniki, Greece.

12. S. Stefa, G. Varvoutis, M. Lykaki, V. Binas, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "CO₂ hydrogenation over ceria-based transition metal nanocatalysts", 14^th Panhellenic Chemical Engineering Conference, May 29-31, Thessaloniki, Greece.

13. D. Ipsakis, E. Mandela, M. Lykaki, A. Lampropoulos, G. Varvoutis, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Assessing the economic impact of CO₂ capture and RES-H₂ processes on the feasibility of olefins production", 14^th Panhellenic Chemical Engineering Conference, May 29-31, Thessaloniki, Greece.

14. L. Zouridi, M. Charalabakis, E. Mantsiou, Α. Sfakianou, E. Gagaoudakis, A. Vourros, I. Garagounis, G. E. Marnellos, V. Binas, "Synthesis, processing and printability of oxide perovskite electroceramics", FEMS EUROMAT 23, 3-7 September 2023, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

15. M. Konsolakis, "Ceria Nanoparticles Shape Effects in Catalysis", Keynote Lecture, 15^th European Congress on Catalysis, 27 August-1 September 2023, Prague.

16. A. Margellou, E. Mandela, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, K. Triantafyllidis, "Layered Double Hydroxide derived mixed-oxides as catalysts in CO₂ Hydrogenation to light olefins", 6^th EuChemS Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 3-9 September 2023, Salerno, Italy.

17. E. Mandela, A. Margellou, G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, K. Triantafyllidis, M. Konsolakis, G.E. Marnellos, "Effect of reaction conditions and pretreatment protocol on CO₂ hydrogenation to light olefins over Layered Double Hydroxide catalysts", 8^th International Conference on Biorefinery and Biomanufacturing, 23-27 July 2023, Athens.

18. M. Lykaki, G. Varvoutis, D. Ipsakis, S. Papaefthimiou, G.E.Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Catalysis for circular economy & environmental sustainability exemplified by CO₂ upgrade to value-added fuels via green hydrogen", 4^th Symposium on Circular Economy and Sustainability, 19-21 June 2023, Heraklion.

19. M. Lykaki, G. Vavrvoutis, S.A.C. Carabineiro, G. Marnellos, and M. Konsolakis, "Effect of Ceria Nanoparticle Morphology on the Reverse Water–Gas Shift Reaction over CuO/CeO₂ Catalysts”, 6^th Panhellenic Symposium of Catalysis, October 20-22, Chania, Greece. 

20. M. Lykakis and M. Konsolakis, "Effect of ceria carrier morphology on catalysis", 16^th Panhellenic Symposium of Catalysis, October 20-22, Chania, Greece. 

21. G. Varvoutis, M. Lykaki, S. Stefa, G.E. Marnellos and M. Konsolakis, "A comparative study of 3d transition metals supported on ceria nanorods for the CO₂ hydrogenation", 16^th Panhellenic Symposium of Catalysis, October 20-22, Chania, Greece. 

22. G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, P. Oikonomou, K. Andreouli, V. Stathopoulos, M. Lykaki, G. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, " CO₂ Methanation in Pilot Scale Using Nanostructured Ni/CeO₂ Catalysts Deposited on NZP Ceramic Pellets", 16^th Panhellenic Symposium of Catalysis, October 20-22, Chania, Greece. 

23. M.A. Vasiliades, C.M. Damaskinos, M. Lykaki, S. Stefa, V. Binas, M. Konsolakis and A.M. Efstathiou, "The role of nanoceria morphology as support of Ni for the dry reforming of methane studied by transient technique", 16^th Panhellenic Symposium of Catalysis, October 20-22, Chania, Greece. 

24. G. Varvoutis, M. Lykaki, S. Stefa, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Effect of Ni Particle Size in the Low-Temperature CO₂ Hydrogenation Over Highly Active Ni/CeO₂-Nanorods", 9^th IUPAC International Conference on Green Chemistry, 5-9 September 2022, Athens.

25. E. Mandela, G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, E. Papista, C. Athanasiou, D. Ipsakis, M. Konsolakis, G.E. Marnellos. "Thermodynamic considerations of the CO_X hydrogenation reaction to light olefins using carbon-neutral feedstock mixtures", World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC2022), 26-30 June 2022, Istanbul, Turkey.

26. E. Mandela, M. Lykaki, G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, D. Ipsakis, S. Papaefthimiou, G. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Development of sustainable processes for CO₂ transformation into value-added chemicals by means of renewable H₂", 17^th IAEE European Energy Conference, 21-24 September 2022, Athens.

27. G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, M. Lykaki, S. Stefa, S. Karakoulia, V. Binas, G.E. Marnellos, M. Konsolakis, "Support-induced effects on the CO₂ hydrogenation performance of Ni/Ce_1-xZn_xO_δ catalysts", 13^th Panhellenic Chemical Engineering Conference, June 2-4, Patras, Greece.

28. E. Mandela, G. Varvoutis, A. Lampropoulos, E. Papista, K. Athansiou, D. Ipsakis, M. Konsolakis, G.E. Marnellos, "Thermodynamic Analysis of Light Olefins Production via Hydrogenation of Captured CO₂ by Electrolytic Hydrogen", 13^th Panhellenic Chemical Engineering Conference, June 2-4, Patras, Greece.