This course is to introduce the enhancement of catalytic activities due to the higher surface to volume ratio in the nano-domain.

Types of catalyst, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, chemical reaction on surface, metal and metal oxide catalysts.

None

I. General principles of catalysis

1. Typical mechanism

2. Catalysis and reaction energetics

3. Factors that affect catalytic rates

4. Typical catalytic materials

II. Types of catalysis

1. Heterogeneous catalysts

2. Electrocatalysts

3. Homogeneous catalysts

4. Organocatalysis

III. Significance of catalysis

1. Energy processing

2. Bulk chemicals

3. Fine chemicals

4. Food processing

5. Biology

6. In the environment

IV. Characterization of Heterogeneous Catalysts

1. Catalysis by Metal Oxides

2. Colloidal Nanoparticles in Catalysis

3. Microporous and Mesoporous Catalysts

4. Skeletal Catalysts and Supported Metal Catalysts

5. Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering

6. Structure and Reaction Control at Catalyst Surfaces

V. Photocatalytic Reaction Mechanisms

1. Metal Oxide semiconductors

2. Photodissociation, photolysis and photodecomposition

3. electronic transitions of photochemistry

4. First Law of Photochemistry and Reciprocity

5. Jablonski Diagram

6. Energy transfer models

Lecture Notes

1. Surface and Nanomolecular Catalysis, CRC Press, 2006, Ryan Richards (ed), ISBN-13: 978-1574444810, ISBN-10: 1574444816

2. Surface and Nanomolecular Catalysis, Ryan Richards (ed.) CRC Press, 2006, 552 pp, ISBN: 157-444-481-6

3. Catalysis: Concepts and Green Applications, Gadi Rothenberg, Wiley-VCH; 1st edition, ISBN-13: 978-3527318247

4. Photocatalytic Reaction Engineering, Hugo de Lasa, Benito Serrano, Miguel Salaices, Springer, 2005, ISBN-10: 0387234500, ISBN-13: 978-0387234502

5. Photocatalysis, Masao Kaneko, Ichiro Okura, Springer 2003, ISBN-10: 3540434739, ISBN-13: 978-3540434733

6. Fufishima, K. Hashimoto, T. Watanabe TiO2 photocatalysis. Fundamentals and applications, BKC Inc., Tokyo 1999

1. Science Direct

2. http://www.catalysisbook.org

The final grade will be computed according to the following weight distribution: Mid-Term Exam (40%); Final Exam (40%); Assignments/Projects (20%). Closed-book examinations are usually given both in the mid-term and finals.