세미나

Heterogeneous catalysis is pivotal to the chemical industry, driving the synthesis of over 90% of essential chemicals and fuels. Despite its critical role, many heterogeneous catalysts have been developed through empirical methods rather than systematic design, leading to inefficiencies and a substantial environmental footprint in the chemical industry.
With the recent shift toward carbon neutrality, the next generation of catalysts must focus on enhancing both efficiency and sustainability. Addressing these challenges requires a deeper understanding of catalyst design principles and performance optimization to achieve sustainability in the chemical sector.
To address these issues with ‘better catalysts’, we have studied the ‘structure-activity relationship,’ which is the essence of heterogeneous catalysis. As catalytic events occur across multi-dimensional scales, the catalytic performance depends not only on surface characteristics but also on structural configuration of the catalyst. We have utilized a range of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to elucidate catalytic mechanisms and guide the development of next-generation catalysts. In this talk, we will present examples from our recent understandings on chemical conversions, including bio-butadiene production from ethanol.