Mechanistic Studies Based on Catalyst Design and In Situ Techniques
Event details
| Date | 19.08.2026 |
| Hour | 17:00 › 18:00 |
| Speaker | Prof. Lu Chen, Shanghai Advance Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract
Catalysis plays a crucial role in advancing green and high-quality industrial development. However, existing characterization methods often struggle to provide an in-depth understanding of the complex interfacial behavior of catalysts, leaving gaps in our understanding of reaction mechanisms and limiting the rational design of catalysts. To address these challenges, we have investigated the mechanistically guided construction of high-performance catalysts for representative catalytic reactions, with in situ X-ray spectroscopy as the core characterization tool. Specifically, we designed nanoreactors that resolved longstanding mechanistic controversies surrounding lignin C–O bond cleavage; developed multiscale in situ X-ray spectroscopic techniques with high spatial, temporal, and energy resolution, establishing correlations between copper redox kinetics and catalytic activity, identifying rate-determining steps, and elucidating the role of Cu–O bond strength, thereby enabling the visualization of catalytic reactions. Building on these mechanistic insights, we have constructed efficient non-precious-metal-based catalytic systems, including surface alloy catalysts, single-atom alloy catalysts, and single-atom catalysts. These systems offer promising and sustainable alternatives based on earth-abundant metals for future industrial applications.
Catalysis plays a crucial role in advancing green and high-quality industrial development. However, existing characterization methods often struggle to provide an in-depth understanding of the complex interfacial behavior of catalysts, leaving gaps in our understanding of reaction mechanisms and limiting the rational design of catalysts. To address these challenges, we have investigated the mechanistically guided construction of high-performance catalysts for representative catalytic reactions, with in situ X-ray spectroscopy as the core characterization tool. Specifically, we designed nanoreactors that resolved longstanding mechanistic controversies surrounding lignin C–O bond cleavage; developed multiscale in situ X-ray spectroscopic techniques with high spatial, temporal, and energy resolution, establishing correlations between copper redox kinetics and catalytic activity, identifying rate-determining steps, and elucidating the role of Cu–O bond strength, thereby enabling the visualization of catalytic reactions. Building on these mechanistic insights, we have constructed efficient non-precious-metal-based catalytic systems, including surface alloy catalysts, single-atom alloy catalysts, and single-atom catalysts. These systems offer promising and sustainable alternatives based on earth-abundant metals for future industrial applications.
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- Prof. Paul Dyson
Contact
- Rosana Blanchard