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Title: Combining Computational Modeling with Reaction Kinetics Experiments for Elucidating the In Situ Nature of the Active Site in Catalysis

Journal Article · · Accounts of Chemical Research
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [3]
  1. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States); University of Wisconsin—Madison Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
  2. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States); Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States)
  3. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

Microkinetic modeling based on density functional theory (DFT) derived energetics is important for addressing fundamental questions in catalysis. The quantitative fidelity of microkinetic models (MKMs), however, is often insufficient to conclusively infer the mechanistic details of a specific catalytic system. Here, this can be attributed to a number of factors such as an incorrect model of the active site for which DFT calculations are performed, deficiencies in the hypothesized reaction mechanism, inadequate consideration of the surface environment under reaction conditions, and intrinsic errors in the DFT exchange-correlation functional. Despite these limitations, we aim at developing a rigorous understanding of the reaction mechanism and of the nature of the active site for heterogeneous catalytic chemistries under reaction conditions. By achieving parity between experimental and modeling outcomes through robust parameter estimation and by ensuring coverage-consistency between DFT calculations and MKM predictions, it is possible to systematically refine the mechanistic model and, thereby, our understanding of the catalytic active site in situ.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231; FG02-05ER15731
OSTI ID:
1764613
Journal Information:
Accounts of Chemical Research, Journal Name: Accounts of Chemical Research Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 53; ISSN 0001-4842
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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