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U.S. Department of Energy
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Molecular ingredients of heterogeneous catalysis

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6974752

Recent developments of the molecular science of heterogeneous catalysis is reviewed from the surface science side. The investigations utilize mostly small area single crystal catalysts and use the full repertoire of surface science techniques for their characterization. The most frequently used tools for surface characterization include low energy electron diffraction (LEED), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The work horse for the catalytic studies was the low-pressure, high-pressure apparatus. When using model catalysts it is essential to establish if close similarity exists between the behavior of the model and the real catalyst systems. This was found to be the case for several reactions that include the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide over rhodium, the hydrogenation of cyclohexene and the ring opening of cyclopropane. The investigation of several important catalytic reactions included the conversion of hydrocarbons over Pt crystal surfaces, the synthesis of ammonia over iron and rhenium crystals, the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide over iron and rhodium, and the photodissociation of water over TiO/sub 2/, SrTiO/sub 3/ and iron oxides. From these studies three molecular ingredients of heterogeneous catalysis were identified: the atomic structure of the surface, the carbonaceous deposit, and the oxidation state of surface atoms.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
6974752
Report Number(s):
LBL-16983; CONF-8311151-1; ON: DE84010707
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English