Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
The dynamics of molecular interactions and chemical reactions at metal surfaces: testing the foundations of theory
Kai Golibrzuch1, Nils Bartels, Daniel J Auerbach
1Institute for Physical Chemistry, University of Göttingen, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Abstract:
We review studies of molecular interactions and chemical reactions at metal surfaces, emphasizing progress toward a predictive theory of surface chemistry and catalysis. For chemistry at metal surfaces, a small number of central approximations are typically made: (a) the Born-Oppenheimer approximation of electronic adiabaticity, (b) the use of density functional theory at the generalized gradient approximation level, (c) the classical approximation for nuclear motion, and (d) various reduced-dimensionality approximations. Together, these approximations constitute a provisional model for surface chemical reactivity. We review work on some carefully studied examples of molecules interacting at metal surfaces that probe the validity of various aspects of the provisional model.
Related Concept Videos
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Predicting Reaction Outcomes
Introduction to Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis
Interfacial Electrochemical Methods: Overview
Complexation Equilibria: Overview
The equilibrium constant of the complexation reaction is represented as the formation constant...
Electrochemical Systems

