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NANO2021-Nanoteknologi og nye materiale

The Operando Surface Catalysis Network

Awarded: NOK 99,999

Catalytic reactions play a central role in manifold industrial processes, including food production, chemical industry, oil and gas conversion, pharmacy, and R&D. Overall, approximately 90% of all materials and chemicals we use are produced via catalysis, in which a unique and often very complex nano-engineered catalyst enables an advantageous pathway between the starting reactants and a desired product. We foresee that rational design of next generation catalysts with superior performance will be based on fundamental insight in reaction mechanisms and the ability to manipulate reactive surfaces. We premise that the nanoscopic structure of a catalyst at operating conditions is very dynamic, and cannot be derived from ex situ, ultra-high vacuum or "post-mortem" investigations. During recent years, various operando surface methodologies have been established as very sensitive experimental approaches to yield in-depth information on model catalysts under transient working conditions of high gas pressures and high temperatures. The prime techniques associated with operando measurements are High-pressure Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy, near-ambient-pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, operando Transmission Electron Microscopy, operando surface X-ray Diffraction, and operando surface-sensitive X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We use an opportunity to advance existing international operando cooperation (The Operando Surface Catalysis Network) further, by bringing key scientists within the field of surface science and catalysis to a focused workshop at UiO. Through an active exchange of ideas between industrial partners, academia and society we aim to provide a state-of-the-art perspective on the key operando methods to the Norwegian surface science and catalysis communities and gain new insights on operando methods for strengthening our ongoing activities focused on tackling environmental problems.

Funding scheme:

NANO2021-Nanoteknologi og nye materiale