Admission requirements
Core course in MSc Chemistry – Energy and Sustainability, elective course in MSc Chemistry - Chemical Biology
For students with a BSc degree in MST or equivalent. Other candidates should have a solid background in physical chemistry and catalysis.
Description
In this course the art and science of heterogeneous catalysis will be treated. Heterogeneous catalysis is a crucial technology in modern society. Approximately 90% of all chemicals and materials around us are produced using catalysis and catalysis impacts around one-quarter of the world’s gross domestic product. The following topics will be discussed: The two common research approaches in heterogeneous catalysis; the chemical and physical processes at solid surfaces taking place during heterogeneous catalysis, e.g. adsorption, diffusion, desorption; the kinetics and thermodynamics of catalysis; the preparation and characterization of catalysts; the activity, selectivity, and stability of catalysts; and examples of industrially important heterogeneously catalyzed chemical reactions, e.g. automotive catalysis, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and hydrodesulfurization. We also visit laboratories at the LIC that are active in heterogeneous catalysis studies and directly related research. Every lecture, a new subject is introduced by a 45-minute lecture and one or two of the participants present papers from the recent scientific literature in relation to a previously discussed topic.
Course objectives
At the end of the course students:
will have knowledge of fundamental principles of heterogeneous catalysis
will understand physical and chemical phenomena taking place at solid surfaces during heterogeneous catalysis processes
will have knowledge of common methods for preparation and characterization of (model) catalysts
can describe the most common industrial processes involving heterogeneous catalysis
can describe the two common research approaches in heterogeneous catalysis
can solve problems regarding the kinetics and thermodynamics of heterogeneous catalysis
can solve problems regarding the activity, selectivity, and stability of catalysts
can digest and present a summary of scientific articles from the literature
Timetable
Schedule information can be found on the website of the programmes. Assignment deadlines are communicated via Brightspace.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, exercises, and discussion meetings.
Assessment method
Active participation in the discussions following the presentation of scientific articles and peer-review of presentations (10%)
Presentation by students (40%)
Written examination (50%)
All three assessments have to be passed with a 6.0 or higher. Lectures and student presentations may be held online if necessitated by corona measures.
Presence at the lectures and discussion meetings is obligatory.
Dependent on the corona measures in place at the time of the final exam, the assessment method may be changed. Changes to the assessment method will be announced via Brightspace a minimum of 10 working days before the originally scheduled exam date.
Reading list
The course is based on the following books: John Meurig Thomas and W. John Thomas, Principles and Practice of Heterogeneous Catalysis, 2nd edition, Wiley 2014; Ulf Haneveld and Leon Lefferts (Eds.), Catalysis, An Integrated Textbook for Students, Wiley-VCH 2018. In addition, articles from the primary literature are used.
Registration
Register for this course via uSis
Contact
Remarks
According to OER article 4.8, students are entitled to view their marked examination for a period of 30 days following the publication of the results of a written examination. Students should contact the lecturer to make an appointment for such an inspection session.