Molecular Kinetics and Catalysis

• Lecturers: Mie Andersen, Nico Hörmann and Haabo Li
• Tutors: Martin Deimel, Santiago Cingolani and Cristina Grosu

A future rational “design” of new catalysts will ultimately require a mechanistic understanding down to the atomic scale. In this lecture we introduce corresponding molecular-level approaches to heterogeneous catalysis, with particular focus on kinetic modeling. For this we will take a grand tour through reaction kinetics, from macroscopic to the microscopic level and address questions like: How does macroscopic kinetic behavior arise from the motion of individual atoms and molecules? How can we utilize atomic scale simulations for kinetic modeling? And, how is textbook kinetics connected with these? The objective of the lecture is to survey emerging links between technological research in real catalysis and more fundamental research in surface science. As such it draws on concepts and is intended for students from both chemical engineering and physical chemistry. The lecture will be given in English.