Rational Catalyst Design through Tailoring Nanostructure

Catalytic properties are stongly tied to the surface properties of materials. Catalysis is influenced by adsorbed reaction species and intermediates. Such adsorptions correlate to electronic properties of surface atoms of catalysts which can be tuned by tailoring structure and composition of catalytic materials. In this presentation, we will discuss how we can carefully tune the fine balance between activity and stability through tailoring the nanostructure of catalytic materials. The focus of this discussion will emphasize the role of noble metal to block undesirable reactions, and the material preparation approach that can enable such functionality.