Catalysis is crucial in various scientific and industrial fields, since the use of proper catalysts allows to accelerate reactions, improve reaction selectivity, and enhance process efficiency. Catalysis enables the production of important chemicals, fuels, and materials, and it plays a key role in energy production, conversion, and storage processes, contributing to the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies. In this context, the course of Fundamentals of Catalysis aims to provide basic knowledge of the key principles of catalysis and its practical applications. Throughout the course, students will explore essential concepts, including reaction mechanisms, kinetics of catalytic reactions, correlations between the main chemical/structural properties of a material and its catalytic activity, or deactivation phenomena. By attending this course, students will have the opportunity of understanding how catalysis can be employed for optimizing chemical processes and allowing a sustainable energy transition. The useful knowledge gained will be instrumental in their future work in the chemical industry, the energy sector, and many other fields.

Through the course, students are expected to acquire knowledge and understanding of the principles of catalysis, including different types of catalysts, possible mechanisms, and influence on reaction kinetics and selectivity. They should comprehend concepts such as activation energy, catalytic cycles, reaction rate and rate-determining steps. They will know which functions are generally required to a catalyst to achieve high activity and durability and which phenomena can lead to deactivation. The students will also know how catalysis can be employed in hydrogen production processes. By the end of the course, the students should acquire the ability to identify the key properties that a catalyst should have to be effectively employed in certain processes and they should be able to evaluate how catalytic materials can behave during operations.

A full comprehension of the topics of this course can be achieved by students who possess a good scientific background, with knowledge of chemistry, physics, and thermodynamics.

The main topics that will be covered during the course are: -Basic concepts of catalysis: activation energy, reaction rates, etc -Homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis -Fundamental steps of heterogeneous catalysis -Adsorption models and reaction mechanisms -Physico-chemical and structural properties of catalytic materials -Catalyst deactivation phenomena -Application of catalysis for hydrogen production

Classroom lectures will be given.

The following textbooks can be read for further exploration of the discussed topics: -Piumetti M. and Russo N., “Notes on catalysis for environment and energy”, CLUT, 2017 -Ross J. R. H., “Heterogeneous Catalysis: Fundamentals and Applications”, Elsevier, 2011 -Vedrine J. C., chapter “Fundamentals of heterogeneous catalysis” in the book “Metal Oxides in Heterogeneous Catalysis”, Elsevier, 2018

Slides; Libro di testo;

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

... The oral examination aims at assessing the knowledge of the topics discussed during the course. The ability of the students in effectively explaining and analyzing catalytic phenomena will also be evaluated. Grades are assigned on a 30-point scale, and the examination is passed if the final grade is at least 18/30.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.