The objective of this proposal is the synthesis of a new type of carbon-based catalyst for application in heterogeneous catalysis: defect free graphene as well as graphene oxide will be produced and sandwiched with carbon nanotubes through layer-by-layer deposition and intercalation chemistry to yield novel pillared carbon nanotube-graphene structures. Using intercalation chemistry metal atoms and ions will be inserted into their pores to achieve high catalytic turnover and selectivity towards a substrate could lead to an innovative “green” technology for pollution control. These materials will be characterized by Raman and XPS spectroscopies. Structural/morphological studies will allow investigations from the long range (XRD) to the short range (SEM, TEM) and thus the study the pillared carbon nanotube-graphene structures on different scale lengths, from meso- to nano-scale, before and after metal intercalation. Their catalytic activity will be evaluated using simple hydrogenation reactions of olefins in gas and liquid phases. The fellow will enlarge her experience on materials in environmental physical chemistry. She will built on her work with natural oxides and clays, which involved (a)synthesis and characterization of materials (b)study of surface/interfacial physicochemical properties and (c)catalysis. In a multidisciplinary training based on a state-of -the art infrastructure and guided by a world specialist in carbon materials, she will acquire new knowledge on physical deposition and characterization techniques. She will strengthen her soft skills by training in project management, presentation techniques, grant writing and IP issues. By being inserted in the broad international network of collaborations of her host group she will be able to build up her own future set of connections. All together this project will give the fellow all the tools for fulfilling her dream of a successful independent future career in academic research.