Research

Surface Chemistry and Catalysis

Our research focuses on the fundamental understanding of structure-reactivity relationships of nanocatalysts for heterogeneous catalysis. The research involves controlled catalyst growth by design, in-situ characterization of catalyst structures, as well as chemical mechanism studies. The design and synthesis of catalytic materials with controlled structures and characteristics at the atomic/molecular scale as well as a thorough characterization coupled with the understanding of the local structure can provide important knowledge for the engineering of materials with desirable properties for specific applications.

We use two approaches to investigate heterogeneous nanocatalysts. Surface science studies of well-defined model surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum conditions using combined spectroscopy and microscopy techniques can achieve full control and characterization of catalytic systems as well as catalytic reaction conditions. This approach can enable identification of molecules, catalyst clusters, and substrates of interest, assist with understanding the detailed reaction mechanism, and provide the connection between chemical properties and designed structures at the atomic/molecular scale. Catalytic studies of powders and nanostructures under reactor conditions can address an important question whether the results obtained using model catalysts are representative of real-world catalysts.

Current Research Topics

Elucidation of the Role of Atomic Structures of CeO₂(111) on the Nucleation and Growth of Metal Clusters through in situ STM and Theory (National Science Foundation)

Surface Science Studies of Ni-based Bimetallic Particles on CeO₂ for Dry Reforming of Methane (National Science Foundation)

Investigation of Doped Ceria Thin Films and Porous Structures (Science Initiative Funds, University of Wyoming)