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.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80333 Muenchen
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.