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Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
Understanding Catalyst 'Volcano' Dependence Through Fermi-Level Controlled Kinetics Using Electronic Theory
Nigora Turaeva1, Gregory Yablonsky2, Rebecca Fushimi3
1Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Webster University, Saint Louis, MO 63119, USA.
Abstract:
The ubiquitous two-step Michaelis-Menten and Temkin-Boudart reaction mechanisms are extended to include the influence of the catalyst electronic subsystem in a 5-step mechanism. The resulting kinetic equation provides an alternative explanation for the well-known volcano-shaped dependence found in catalysis. The equilibrium constants of fast electronic steps are highlighted for their influence on adsorption and desorption through the relative concentration of charged versus neutral intermediates. This generalized concept can be widely applied to determine the optimal catalyst, based on the Fermi level of the material, for reactions proceeding via this universal reaction.
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