Unraveling reaction pathways and intermediates in heterogeneous catalysis

The Ultrafast Catalysis Project at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory uses free-electron lasers such as SLAC's LCLS-II in pump-probe experiments to follow heterogeneous catalytic reactions in real time. With help of x-ray spectral super-computer simulations, important questions regarding competing reaction pathways are addressed to gain a deeper understanding of selectivity in heterogeneous catalysis. This deepened understanding of reaction mechanisms and kinetics is important for developing better catalysts for sustainable energy solutions and production of chemicals.

Funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division, Catalysis Science Program to the Ultrafast Catalysis FWP 100435 at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory under Contract DE-AC02-76SF00515 is gratefully acknowledged.