Material Science for catalysis: Quo vadis?

The scientific work of the laureate this special issue Josef Breu can be characterized as functional material science nanostructures with emphasis on layered materials and polymers. A central theme is creative utilization self-organisation effected in reduced dimensions. His targets selected application areas amongst which catalysis prominent. range applications is, however, much wider his achievements address concepts synthesis. author focusses here relevance for catalysis. This justified besides competence by critical need intelligent synthetic leading to dynamical materials. following bibliographic data may characterize laureate. Using web science, we find that from 292 analysed papers 94 deal 21 catalysts application. In Figure 1 see assignment core topics within systematics. topical breakdown systematics (2021). figure clearly illustrates developing generic cannot attached a single community. way he follows classical tradition chemistry develops its own agenda independent fact results used or are needed other disciplines. further evidences chemical “multidisciplinary” one side likewise “material science”. difference between should reactions reactivity objects curiosity whereas tries cast set pre-defined properties into rational methods. Both fields activity require serious efforts characterization giving field “physical chemistry” large weight Breu. He applies broad spectroscopic, microscopic scattering methodologies determine overall structure particular interaction various components It beyond scope short text deeply analyse novelty value developed applied arrive at elegant surprising solutions questions. however common research plays role realization particular, possibilities open up interlayer space templates feature activity. From viewpoint heterogeneous catalysis, examples interest they not occur realm conventional catalyst synthesis recent study1 team successfully managed “bottle” model consisting an interface metal (Pd) monolayer silicate (hectorite). Such systems were found active CO oxidation merely inhibit auto-poisoning reaction2 strongly bound CO. approach paves prepare alloy separated template only thickness. allows according authors detectable ionic layer charge counter sitting nanoparticles. There no fundamental reason combine several create well-arranged hetero-metallic clear particle distance vary thus modify metallicity Metal nanoparticles controlled relative each play key Pt embedded sphere polyelectrolyte brushes polystyrene beads. particles first synthesized Pt−Au alloys upon oxidative dealloying gold recrystallized still firmly held network. Well-facetted albeit surface-defective remained fixed polymer network without sintering well accessible hydrogenation aqueous solution. better suited demanding catalytic processes water protic solvents compared carbon-supported catalysts. same technique fixing homogeneous Au−Pd composition allowed systematic study4 phase function changing size distribution particles. compositional maximum was rationalized terms early study system DFT calculations. relevant due experimental separation effects difficult achieve more realizations nanoalloys. another polymer-inorganic approach5 well-defined pathway ordered mesoporous oxy-carbides molybdenum developed. hexagonal block-copolymer precursor heteropolyacid (Mo Keggin) dispersed under retention arrangement tubular structure. By employing definition heat treatment protocol, it possible retain oxy-carbide formation MoO3 nanocrystals would thermodynamically stable carbon yielding low-surface area binary mixture little value. protocol gains now renewed search highly ammonia reforming test reaction already original work. If broader sense ask where future trends surely control interfacial being surface, sub-surface regime, matrix “active phase”, support auxiliary formulation components. achieved discussed team. strong direct local interactions substrate site but addition weaker reagents reagent-catalyst together potential variation time6 requires attention all conditions performance catalysis7 far apart equilibrium situation. contrast approaches pre-fabrication could transferred variety activation procedures working take-home message “support” chosen onto phases “grafted”. Rather, co-condensation using least reactive component capable condensing nanostructured precursor. selection crystallinity long-range order “rough” “amorphous” structures. former tend structurally well-defined8 latter “reactive”9 appropriate reactions. Without doubt calls suitable studies imply know atoms space. allow embodiment modern like “single atom catalysis”10, 11 “high entropy catalysis”12 isolated species statistical mixtures target debate two prototypes valuable goes back dispute about nature sites either regular crystalline surfaces13 (“Langmuir-type”) “aristocratic”14 configurations non-translational surface (“Taylor-type”). tends emphasize takes view both classifications do meet really probed also today operando techniques have systems. Active their termination (the plus regime) existing state structural fluctuation. necessary energy come correctly drive transition (e. g., oxide, oxide carbide nitride, sub-oxide). comes property kinetically frustrated e. process stops nucleation transformation phase. Interactions supports “templates”, complexity (“impurities promoters”) defects generated during typical means generate phase, often unintentionally. Here recognises provide kinetic barrier impeding fluctuation surface. continuing attempt overcome hindrance reach thermodynamic stability regenerates elements fluctuating layer. such picture there room translational ordering. But course structure-directing self-organization involved preserve against reaching minimum forms (segregated sintered) Intercalation principle scenario hence becomes combination flexibility templating powerful concept high-performance has indicated direction shown recipes chemically different contributing grand challenge finding design community happy skilled inorganic chemists use toolboxes combing dynamics mesoscopic integrity (“stability”) pave dedicated scalable declare conflict interest.