Our research activities focus on atomistic-level understanding of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions including mechanisms, kinetics and thermodynamics of elementary surface processes. We study surface reactions over well-defined single crystals and nanostructured supported model catalysts under ultra high vacuum conditions. The main focus of these studies lies on finding detailed correlations between the structural properties of nano-sized supported catalysts and activity and activity and selectivity of surface reactions. A variety of surface science methods - multi-molecular beam techniques (effusive and supersonic beams), single crystal adsorption calorimetry (SCAC), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and polarization-modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy  (PM-IRAS)  – is employed in these studies in order to address both kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of interaction of gas phase molecules with model well-defined surfaces.

Major Research Topics:

   Enantioselective reactions on model chirally modified surfaces.

   Selective hydrogenation of multi-unsaturated hydrocarbons over nanostructured model supported catalysts.

   CO₂ hydrogenation to higher mass hydrocarbons: towards renewable energy conversion and storage.

   Energetics of surface processes by Single Crystal Adsorption Calorimetry.

   Water interaction with oxides

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