![Dr Muxina Konarova](/sites/default/files/profiles/2363.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Biography: Dr Muxina Konarova is Senior Lecturer in the UQ School of Chemical Engineering. She gained her PhD in Chemical Engineering at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. Dr Konarova has led four academia/industry projects since 2016, securing >$5M as lead CI and her team partnered with five large organisations under her Advance Qld Research (Early) and Mid-Career Fellowships, ARENA-UQ, ARC-Linkage and Innovation Connections.
Research: Dr Konarova’s research team focuses on the development of sustainable chemical processes and is directed to address climate change, waste utilisation and provide technical solutions for a circular economy. Current chemical industries are heavily reliant on fossil-fuel feedstock and significant advances in process engineering will be required to enable a carbon-neutral chemical industry. To accelerate the transition to circularity, fossil-fuel based industries are now seeking to introduce waste products and renewables as their feedstock. However, selective catalysts and suitable reactor designs are largely unknown for these new types of feedstock (biomass, plastic waste and CO2). This lack of knowledge has prevented both commercialisation of new chemical processes and the utilisation of sustainable resources. Dr Konarova’s research program focuses on the (1) design of selective, stable and active solid catalysts; (2) integration of solid catalysts into a reactor environment where an optimum mass and heat transfer can occur. Her team uses a range of advanced spectroscopic tools to analyse reaction products, elucidate underlying reaction mechanisms and control product selectivity. The overall research aim is to identify new generations of catalysts and reactors designs and address fundamental challenges associated with catalytic conversion and contribute to the development of sustainable chemical industry.
Teaching and Learning Contributions:
Dr. Konarova is a dedicated educator at the School of Chemical Engineering, where she plays a key role in the Master of Sustainable Energy (MSE) program. She coordinates and lectures the course Energy Transitions in Industrial Processes (ENGY7003), imparting critical knowledge on sustainable practices within industrial settings. Since 2021, Dr. Konarova has also been actively involved in coordinating and teaching Process Modelling and Control (CHEE3007), a core course in the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum at UQ. Through these roles, she integrates her expertise in energy and process engineering to provide students with a robust understanding of modern industrial processes and control systems.
Availability
- Dr Muxina Konarova is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework) of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Works
Search Professor Muxina Konarova’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Unlocking the role of Ni-Fe species in CO2 methanation
Yan, Penghui, Peng, Hong, Zhang, Xi, Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Ahmed, Mohamed, Weng, Yilun, Rozhkovskaya, Alexandra, Vogrin, John, Konarova, Muxina and Zhu, Zhonghua (2024). Unlocking the role of Ni-Fe species in CO2 methanation. Fuel, 374 132373, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2024.132373
2024
Journal Article
Methane pyrolysis in molten salt slurry systems: evaluation of activity and mechanism in binary salt mixtures with molybdenum disulfide suspensions
McConnachie, Mark, Yan, Penghui, Konarova, Muxina and Smart, Simon (2024). Methane pyrolysis in molten salt slurry systems: evaluation of activity and mechanism in binary salt mixtures with molybdenum disulfide suspensions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 81, 1172-1180. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.07.225
2024
Journal Article
Remote island renewable transition potential: Affordable, reliable and sustainable generation optimisation for Mornington island
Wang, Juntao, Song, Chendi, Huang, Ziyu, Campbell, Alan and Konarova, Muxina (2024). Remote island renewable transition potential: Affordable, reliable and sustainable generation optimisation for Mornington island. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition, 5 100084, 100084. doi: 10.1016/j.rset.2024.100084
2024
Journal Article
“Selectivity and reaction kinetics of methane pyrolysis to produce hydrogen in catalytically active molten salts”
Sheil, Alister, Konarova, Muxina, McConnachie, Mark and Smart, Simon (2024). “Selectivity and reaction kinetics of methane pyrolysis to produce hydrogen in catalytically active molten salts”. Applied Energy, 364 123137. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123137
2024
Journal Article
Catalysis at the intersection of sustainable chemistry and a circular economy
Abbas, Ali, Cross, Megan, Duan, Xiaoguang, Jeschke, Steffen, Konarova, Muxina, Huber, George W., Lee, Adam F., Lovell, Emma C., Lim, Jason Y.C., Polyzos, Anastasios, Richards, Ryan and Wilson, Karen (2024). Catalysis at the intersection of sustainable chemistry and a circular economy. One Earth, 7 (5), 738-741. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.04.018
2024
Journal Article
Tuning acid-metal synergy in m-cresol hydrodeoxygenation over bifunctional Pt/aluminosilicate catalysts
Hunns, James A., Durndell, Lee J., Zhang, Xingguang, Konarova, Muxina, Lee, Adam F. and Wilson, Karen (2024). Tuning acid-metal synergy in m-cresol hydrodeoxygenation over bifunctional Pt/aluminosilicate catalysts. ACS Catalysis, 14 (9), 7052-7061. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.4c00402
2024
Journal Article
Impact of varied zeolite materials on nickel catalysts in CO2 methanation
Yan, Penghui, Peng, Hong, Wu, Xuankun, Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Weng, Yilun, Konarova, Muxina, Vogrin, John, Rozhkovskaya, Alexandra and Zhu, Zhonghua (2024). Impact of varied zeolite materials on nickel catalysts in CO2 methanation. Journal of Catalysis, 432 115439, 115439. doi: 10.1016/j.jcat.2024.115439
2024
Journal Article
Integrating PET chemical recycling with pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste via pressureless alkaline depolymerization in a hydrocarbon solvent
Konarova, Muxina, Batalha, Nuno, Fraga, Gabriel, Ahmed, Mohamed H.M., Pratt, Steven and Laycock, Bronwyn (2024). Integrating PET chemical recycling with pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste via pressureless alkaline depolymerization in a hydrocarbon solvent. Waste Management, 174, 24-30. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.11.023
2024
Journal Article
Interpreting gas sorption isotherms in glassy polymers using a Bayesian framework: a view on parameter uncertainty propagation into mixture sorption predictions
Monsalve-Bravo, Gloria M., Dutta, Ravi C., Zuluaga-Bedoya, Christian C., Adams, Matthew P., Smart, Simon, Konarova, Muxina and Bhatia, Suresh K. (2024). Interpreting gas sorption isotherms in glassy polymers using a Bayesian framework: a view on parameter uncertainty propagation into mixture sorption predictions. Journal of Membrane Science, 689 122159, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.memsci.2023.122159
2024
Journal Article
Evaluation of heterogeneous metal-sulfide molten salt slurry systems for hydrogen production through methane pyrolysis
McConnachie, Mark, Sheil, Alister, Konarova, Muxina and Smart, Simon (2024). Evaluation of heterogeneous metal-sulfide molten salt slurry systems for hydrogen production through methane pyrolysis. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 49 (Part A), 981-991. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.08.072
2024
Journal Article
Outstanding reviewers for Sustainable Energy & Fuels in 2023
Dayton, David, Konarova, Muxina, Li, Rengui, Lin, Carol, Onwudili, Jude, Sudarsanam, Putla, Wang, Sibo, Yamauchi, Kosei and Zhang, Tierui (2024). Outstanding reviewers for Sustainable Energy & Fuels in 2023. Sustainable Energy and Fuels. doi: 10.1039/d4se90040e
2023
Journal Article
Theoretical investigation of combustion and emissions of CI engines fueled by various blends of depolymerized low-density polythene and diesel with co-solvent additives
Alrazen, Hayder A., Aminossadati, Saiied M., Mahmood, Hussein A., Hasan, M. M., Abdulkreem-Alsultan, G. and Konarova, Muxina (2023). Theoretical investigation of combustion and emissions of CI engines fueled by various blends of depolymerized low-density polythene and diesel with co-solvent additives. Energy, 282 128754. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.128754
2023
Journal Article
Retrieving back plastic wastes for conversion to value added petrochemicals: opportunities, challenges and outlooks
Kumar, Manish, Bolan, Shiv, Padhye, Lokesh P., Konarova, Muxina, Foong, Shin Ying, Lam, Su Shiung, Wagland, Stuart, Cao, Runzi, Li, Yang, Batalha, Nuno, Ahmed, Mohamed, Pandey, Ashok, Siddique, Kadambot H. M., Wang, Hailong, Rinklebe, Jörg and Bolan, Nanthi (2023). Retrieving back plastic wastes for conversion to value added petrochemicals: opportunities, challenges and outlooks. Applied Energy, 345 121307, 121307. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121307
2023
Journal Article
Thermogravimetric kinetic analysis of catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis of simulated municipal solid waste
Raja, Naif, Monsalve-Bravo, Gloria M., Kaneti, Yusuf Valentino, Mensah, Jim, Wilson, Karen, Lee, Adam F. and Konarova, Muxina (2023). Thermogravimetric kinetic analysis of catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis of simulated municipal solid waste. Chemical Engineering Journal, 470 144046, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.144046
2023
Journal Article
Literature review of the catalytic pyrolysis of methane for hydrogen and carbon production
McConnachie, Mark, Konarova, Muxina and Smart, Simon (2023). Literature review of the catalytic pyrolysis of methane for hydrogen and carbon production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 48 (66), 25660-25682. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.03.123
2023
Journal Article
Effectiveness of co-solvents in boosting LDPE depolymerization in diesel
Alrazen, Hayder A., Aminossadati, Saiied M., Mahmudul Hasan, Md and Konarova, Muxina (2023). Effectiveness of co-solvents in boosting LDPE depolymerization in diesel. Fuel, 345 128135, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2023.128135
2023
Journal Article
Catalytic alkali and transition metal cations to produce low-emission hydrogen from methane pyrolysis
Sheil, Alister, Konarova, Muxina and Smart, Simon (2023). Catalytic alkali and transition metal cations to produce low-emission hydrogen from methane pyrolysis. ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 11 (30), 11248-11258. doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c02384
2023
Journal Article
Catalytic conversion of methane into benzene over ceria–zirconia-promoted molybdenum-supported zeolite formethane dehydroaromatization
Mishra, Deepti, Modak, Arindam, Pant, K. K., Ambeth, P. Vanaraja, Konarova, Muxina and Zhao, Xiu Song (2023). Catalytic conversion of methane into benzene over ceria–zirconia-promoted molybdenum-supported zeolite formethane dehydroaromatization. Applied Organometallic Chemistry, 37 (7) e7101. doi: 10.1002/aoc.7101
2023
Journal Article
Design of trifunctional catalysts for promoting sequential condensation, deoxygenation, and aromatization of pyrolyzed mixed waste
Ahmed, Mohamed H. M., Batalha, Nuno, Karim, Mohammad Rezaul, Alnaser, Ibrahim Abdullah, Yamauchi, Yusuke, Kaneti, Yusuf Valentino and Konarova, Muxina (2023). Design of trifunctional catalysts for promoting sequential condensation, deoxygenation, and aromatization of pyrolyzed mixed waste. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 11 (26), 14404-14415. doi: 10.1039/d3ta01368e
2023
Journal Article
Effect of ZrO<sub>2</sub>/CeO<sub>2</sub> mixed oxides on fuel gas production during self-sustaining smouldering combustion of lignocellulosic wastes
Wyn, Hons, Konarova, Muxina, Quintero Olaya, Sebastian and Yermán, Luis (2023). Effect of ZrO2/CeO2 mixed oxides on fuel gas production during self-sustaining smouldering combustion of lignocellulosic wastes. Sustainable Energy and Fuels, 7 (10), 1-7. doi: 10.1039/d3se00307h
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Muxina Konarova is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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3D printing of heterogeneous catalysts
This project aims to develop printable catalyst composition and 3D print catalytic monolith using solid free form fabrication. In these student will focus on the 3D printing of various types of catalysts including zeolite, activated carbon supported (Ni, Co, Fe etc). These catalysts will be used for the conversion of bio-syngas into fuels and chemicals.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Non-oxide catalytic conversion of methane into aromatics over metal impregnated heirarchical zeolite
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Production of hydrogen using renewable energy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Miaoqiang Lyu
-
Doctor Philosophy
A study of novel Ru-based catalysts for hydrogen storage and transport
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gloria Milena Monsalve Bravo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of catalytic systems for the conversion of mixed solid waste
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gloria Milena Monsalve Bravo
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of efficient methods for conversion of plastic waste into high value carbon fibres
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Birgitta Ebert, Ms Ping Chen
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Doctor Philosophy
The impact of nanoplastics and microplastics on health and the environment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation and Demonstration at Laboratory Scale, Novel Processes to Produce Near-Zero Carbon Oxide Emissions Hydrogen and Fuels from Methane Through Pyrolysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Simon Smart
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Doctor Philosophy
Bioengineered lignin conversion into high-performance fibre monomers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Birgitta Ebert
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Design of Novel Multi-functional Catalyst for Co-pyrolysis of Biomass and Waste Plastic Feedstock for the Production of Renewable and Sustainable Fuels
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Value-adding to stranded carbon resources via catalytic conversion of syngas into oxygenated fuels
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Methane Pyrolysis in Molten Salts to Produce Low Emission Hydrogen
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Simon Smart
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Fuel-gas production via self-sustaining smouldering of biomass
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Luis Yerman
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Converting Lower Density Polyethylene Polymer to Blended Diesel Fuel
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Liquid organic hydrogen carriers and their application on transfer hydrogenation and activation of metal-based catalysts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock, Associate Professor Steven Pratt
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Catalytic conversion of biorenewable-carbohydrate sources to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural: a platform molecule for future chemical and energy
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Muxina Konarova directly for media enquiries about:
- biofuels
- catalysts
- gas conversion
- hydrogen
- plastic recycling
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