Materials in Catalysis and Electrocatalysis

1 Course Unit

This course examines catalysis from a materials science and engineering perspective, treating catalysts as functional materials whose structure, composition, defects, and stability govern activity, selectivity, and stability. Both heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis are covered, with emphasis on how different driving forces influence the structure, chemistry, and performance of solid catalytic materials. Topics include qualitative thermodynamic and kinetic descriptors of catalytic activity, structure–activity relationships, catalyst synthesis and processing, transport and environmental effects, catalyst degradation and evolution under reaction conditions. Emphasis is placed on linking materials structure and chemistry to catalytic function through concepts and contemporary case studies from energy and sustainability applications. The course combines lectures with literature-based discussions to develop critical engagement with current research. Fall Mutually Exclusive: MSE 4080 1 Course Unit