The DETECT project aims to uncover new insights into the catalytic behavior of dual and triple atom catalysts. For several chemical reactions – many related to securing a wider penetration of renewable energy - traditional catalysts often face limitations such as unfavorable scaling relations of intermediates, lack of selectivity, and reliance on costly and scarce precious metals. By employing catalysts consisting of only two or three atoms DETECT offers a possible route to circumvent these limitations, while also lifting the constraints of current single atom catalysts and opening the possibility of catalyzing more complex reactions that may require more than a single atom to proceed.
The project targets reactions such as electrochemical hydrogen peroxide formation, CO2 reduction to fuels and chemicals, and ammonia synthesis. The approach involves an iterative process that combines computation, synthesis, characterization, and activity testing. Dual and triple atom catalysts will be synthesized using a cluster source equipped with a time-of-flight-based mass filter. This method allows for controlled synthesis of dual and triple atom catalysts even bimetallic — an area that remains largely unexplored in catalysis. The resulting well-defined catalysts can be characterized at the atomic level, enabling direct comparison with computational predictions.
DETECT has the potential to yield more energy-efficient and selective catalysts. It could unlock catalytic pathways for so-called “Dream Reactions” that lack viable catalysts today. In the context of transitioning away from fossil fuels, new catalysts are essential for achieving widespread adoption of sustainable energy sources.
