Project description
An atomic-scale view of catalyst dynamics
Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction. The EU-funded TACCAMA project aims to study the correlation between the dynamics and activity of model catalysts at atomic scale. To do so, researchers will insert a high-temporal and spatial resolution scanning tunnelling microscope directly into reactive gas mixtures. This will allow investigation of how the structure of catalyst particles and substrates change under reaction conditions. By using small clusters with a precisely defined number of atoms, researchers will investigate how highly reactive particle structures appear and disappear, how this process can be controlled, and how it influences the catalyst function. This knowledge could lead to the development of more cost-effective alternatives to the precious metal catalysts commonly used today.
Objective
From fine chemical synthesis over combustion control to electrode design – the majority of chemical reactions rely on catalysts to improve energy and material efficiency. Yet, the atomic-scale processes underlying a catalytic reaction at elevated pressures are far less well-understood than one might expect. Indeed, the successful optimization of industrial catalysts is typically achieved by ‘trial and error’. If we precisely understood the correlation between catalyst dynamics and activity, we could instead design stable, yet intrinsically dynamic (i.e. structurally fluxional) catalysts, drastically reduce our waste of noble metals by using only the most active particles and replace rare and toxic materials.
This project constitutes a fundamental and systematic investigation of heterogeneous catalysis in action. My aim is to map the pressure and temperature range in which supported particle catalysts are stable, and correlate particle size and support morphology with dynamics and stability. To do so, I will combine my experience with surface dynamics studies, video-rate scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), ambient pressure (AP) surface science and cluster research. State-of-the-art video-rate APSTM will enable me to observe catalyst dynamics such as sintering, adsorbate spillover onto the support, dynamic structural fluxionality of clusters and support roughening as a function of reactant partial pressure and temperature. The novelty of this project lies in the direct observation of catalyst particles, defined to the exact number of atoms, under realistic reaction conditions in order to tune reactivity by controlling their dynamics and stability on structurally and electronically optimized oxide supports. AP X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) will supply complementary information about chemical changes occurring in cluster and support. The knowledge gained will contribute to the targeted design of more active and efficient catalysts for specific applications.
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Funding Scheme
ERC-STG - Starting GrantHost institution
80333 Muenchen
Germany