Dr. Konstantinos Triantafyllidis
Chair Professor
Our research targets downstream crude oil and waste-refining heterogeneous catalysis, developing catalytic/sorptive nanomaterials and scalable processes for CO₂ and waste (plastic, biomass) valorization into sustainable fuels, chemicals, polymers and carbons.
📍 Bldg. 4-220
☎ (+966) 13 860 5469
✉ k.triantafyllidis@kfupm.edu.sa
🔗 ORCID: 0000-0001-8658-8500
🔗 Scopus: 8406363900
Research Area
⬡ Heterogeneous Catalysis
⬡ Porous & Metal/Oxide Nanomaterials
⬡ Crude oil & Waste/bio-refining to fuels and chemicals
⬡ Polymer (biobased) Nanocomposites
⬡ Sustainable Chemistry & Technology
Our research focuses on downstream crude oil and waste/bio-refining catalytic processes towards fuels, chemicals and materials. The topics of interest span from the development of novel (catalytic) materials to the design and optimization of lab-to-medium scale processes. Primary focus is given on waste/CO2 valorization and co-processing with petroleum fractions towards sustainable development via advanced chemical processing. Examples:
- Catalytic conversion (chemical recycling/upcycling) of plastic and biomass (lignocellulosic and lipid) waste to sustainable aviation fuels, lubricants, aromatics and light olefins.
- Catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol, olefins, aromatics and hydrocarbon fuels.
- Design, synthesis and characterization of nanoporous/nanostructured materials (zeolites, layered materials and mesoporous oxides) and supported nano-metal catalysts for environmental and energy applications.
- Thermochemical pretreatment and fractionation of biomass wastes (date palm, etc) for lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose selective isolation.
- Bio-based chemicals/monomers/ polymers and (nano)composites.
- Biochar and carbon materials (production and applications).
Education
✔︎ Postdoc: Michigan State University, 2000-2002
✔︎ PhD: University of Ioannina, 2000
✔︎ BSc: University of Ioannina, 1990
- Kowalska, K.; Salonikidou, E.D.; Giannakoudakis, D.A.; Triantafyllidis, K.S.; Borowski, P. “Understanding the interactions of (dimethyl) dibenzothiophene sulfones on functionalized graphene surfaces and carbons based on theoretical and experimental studies”, Fuel 2026, 407, 137204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2025.137204
- Kristensen, T. A.; Margellou, A. G.; Hallböök, F.; Abdelaziz, O. Y.; Blomberg, S.; Hulteberg, C. P.; Triantafyllidis, K. S. “Effect of noble metals on the performance of Ni–Mo catalysts for the hydrodeoxygenation of lignin oils to fuels”, Sustainable Energy & Fuels, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SE01014D
- Giannakoudakis, D.A.; Ioannidis, I.; Ioannou, K.; Salonikidou, E.D.; Florides, F.; Zeiler, S.; Kostoglou, N.; Barczak, M.; Triantafyllidis, K.; Pashalidis, I.; Rebholz, C.G. “Ultrahigh surface area nanoporous carbon for air and water purification: Pushing the boundaries and unveiling the key physicochemical features”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025, 524, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.169457
- Alhendi, A.; Margellou, A.G.; Hinder, S.J.; Baker, M.A.; Triantafyllidis, K.S.; Polychronopoulou, K.; Khaleel, M. “Tuning the chemical and textural properties of Ni-Pt MFI zeolite catalysts for the hydrodeoxygenation of oleic acid”, Fuel 2026, 406, 136853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136853
- Margellou, A.G.; Langschwager, F; Pappa, C.P; Araujo, A; Funke, A.; Triantafyllidis, K.S “Solvolysis and Mild Hydrogenolysis of Lignin Pyrolysis Bio-Oils for Bunker Fuel Blends”, Energies, 2025, 18(14), 3683. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143683
- Ana Cristina Corrêa de Araujo, Axel Funke, Antigoni Margellou, Konstantinos Triantafyllidis, Nicolaus Dahmen “Pilot scale fast pyrolysis of lignin in a twin-screw reactor.”, Biomass and Bioenergy, 2025, 200, 108041, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.108041
- Mandela, E; Margellou, A.G.; Kotsaridou, A.; Marnellos, G.E.; Konsolakis, M.; Triantafyllidis, K.S. “Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH)-Derived Mixed Oxides for Enhanced Light Hydrocarbon Production from CO2 Hydrogenation”, Catalysts, 2025, 15(4), 323. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15040323
- Margellou, A.G.; Zormpa, F.F.; Karfaridis, D.; Karakoulia, S.A.; Triantafyllidis, K.S. “Hydrodeoxygenation of Phenolic Compounds and Lignin Bio-Oil Surrogate Mixture over Ni/BEA Zeolite Catalyst and Investigation of Its Deactivation”, Catalysts, 2025, 15(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15010048
- Liakos, D.; Chrysikou, L.P.; Triantafyllidis, K.; Bezergianni, S. “Hydrothermal liquefaction of catering wastes towards biofuel intermediates”, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-024-05733-9
- Soldatos P.; Margellou A.; Pappa C.; Torofias S.; Matsakas L.; Rova U.; Christakopoulos P.; Triantafyllidis K. “Conversion of beechwood organosolv lignin via fast pyrolysis and in situ catalytic upgrading towards aromatic and phenolic-rich bio-oil”, Sustain. Chem. Env., 2024, 6, 100107, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scenv.2024.100107
Nazia Tanvir Hasan
Postdoc Fellow
Syed Ul Hasnain Bakhtiar
Postdoc Fellow
| Graduate Courses Taught |
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• CHEM 591: Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry • CHEM 621: Heterogeneous Catalysis |