Modelling au catalyst from bulk to nanoscale

Identifier:  TDX:886

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX886

Authors:  Roldán Martínez, Alberto

Abstract:
In this thesis we focus on the structures of gold and its catalytic activity. This thesis discusses about the production of propylene epoxide on gold surface, the formation mechanism of mono-dimensional systems with technological interest as well as the modelling of real nanoparticles with catalytic activity on essential processes such as molecular oxygen activation.<br/>In general, the results provide accurate details of the studied processes in agreement with the literature. For instance, that the epoxidation process on Au(111) surface is not the most favourable way; or that the formation mechanism of nanowires is determined by increased coordination of binding atoms. The results also illustrate where and how the reaction of O2 dissociation occurs on gold nanoparticles, delimiting the size of active particles. In addition, the thesis includes microkinetic simulations to optimize the processes that could be in industry.