Mr. Roey Ben David- Ph.D. candidate
27/06/2024
David Wang Auditorium, 3rd floor Dalia Meidan Bldg.
14:30
Fundamental understanding of the surface processes occurring at the gas-solid interface is crucial for the rational design and optimization of new catalysts and catalytic processes in heterogeneous catalysis. Theoretical tools provide a good starting point for understanding the potential atomistic mechanisms and reaction intermediates of catalytic reactions; however, they cannot capture the full surface dynamics and complexities under realistic reaction conditions. To address this, experimental surface science techniques operating at ambient pressure and temperature conditions are employed.
In this study, we use polarization modulation – infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) to provide detailed atomistic insights into the mechanisms of two important catalytic systems: methanol-to-hydrogen decomposition on Cu and CO2 activation and hydrogenation on Ni. Our findings shed light on the fundamental surface phenomena of dissociative adsorption at ambient conditions and the relationship between surface structure and reaction kinetics.