Catalysis & Catalysts: Facts and Figures About Catalysts

CH4003 Lecture Notes 11 (Erzeng Xue)
Catalysis & Catalysts

Facts and Figures about Catalysts
Life cycle on the earth
Catalysts (enzyme) participates most part of life cycle
e.g. forming, growing, decaying
Catalysis contributes great part in the processes of converting sun energy to various
other forms of energies
e.g. photosynthesis by plant CO2 + H2O=HC + O2
Catalysis plays a key role in maintaining our environment
Chemical Industry
ca. $2 bn annual sale of catalysts
ca. $200 bn annual sale of the chemicals that are related products
90% of chemical industry has catalysis-related processes
Catalysts contributes ca. 2% of total investment in a chemical process
1
What is Catalysis
Catalysis
Catalysis is an action by catalyst which takes part in a chemical reaction process
and can alter the rate of reactions, and yet itself will return to its original form without
being consumed or destroyed at the end of the reactions
(This is one of many definitions)
Three key aspects of catalyst action

taking part in the reaction
it will change itself during the process by interacting with other reactant/product molecules
altering the rates of reactions
in most cases the rates of reactions are increased by the action of catalysts; however, in
some situations the rates of undesired reactions are selectively suppressed
Returning to its original form
After reaction cycles a catalyst with exactly the same nature is reborn
In practice a catalyst has its lifespan - it deactivates gradually during use
2
Action of Catalysts
Catalysis action - Reaction kinetics and mechanism
Catalyst action leads to the rate of a reaction to change.
This is realised by changing the course of reaction (compared to non-catalytic reaction)
Forming complex with reactants/products, controlling the rate of elementary steps
in the process. This is evidenced by the facts that
The reaction activation energy is altered uncatalytic
The intermediates formed are different from catalytic
energy
those formed in non-catalytic reaction reactant
The rates of reactions are altered (both
product
desired and undesired ones)
reaction process
Reactions proceed under less demanding conditions
Allow reactions occur under a milder conditions, e.g. at lower temperatures for those heat
sensitive materials
3
Action of Catalysts
It is important to remember that the use of catalyst DOES NOT vary DG & Keq
values of the reaction concerned, it merely change the PACE of the process
Whether a reaction can proceed or not and to what extent a reaction can proceed
is solely determined by the reaction thermodynamics, which is governed by the
values of DG & Keq, NOT by the presence of catalysts.
In another word, the reaction thermodynamics provide the driving force for a rxn;
the presence of catalysts changes the way how driving force acts on that process.
e.g CH4(g) + CO2(g) = 2CO(g) + 2H2(g) DG373=151 kJ/mol (100 C)

DG973 =-16 kJ/mol (700 C)
At 100C, DG373=151 kJ/mol > 0. There is no thermodynamic driving force, the reaction
wont proceed with or without a catalyst
At 700C, DG373= -16 kJ/mol < 0. The thermodynamic driving force is there. However,
simply putting CH4 and CO2 together in a reactor does not mean they will react. Without
a proper catalyst heating the mixture in reactor results no conversion of CH4 and CO2 at
all. When Pt/ZrO2 or Ni/Al2O3 is present in the reactor at the same temperature,
equilibrium conversion can be achieved (<100%).
4
Types of Catalysts & Catalytic Reactions

The types of catalysts
Classification based on the its physical state, a catalyst can be
gas
liquid
solid
Classification based on the substances from which a catalyst is made
Inorganic (gases, metals, metal oxides, inorganic acids, bases etc.)
Organic (organic acids, enzymes etc.)
Classification based on the ways catalysts work
Homogeneous - both catalyst and all reactants/products are in the same phase (gas or liq)
Heterogeneous - reaction system involves multi-phase (catalysts + reactants/products)
Classification based on the catalysts action
Acid-base catalysts
Enzymatic
Photocatalysis
Electrocatalysis, etc.
5
Applications of Catalysis
Industrial applications
Almost all chemical industries have one or more steps employing catalysts
Petroleum, energy sector, fertiliser, pharmaceutical, fine chemicals
Advantages of catalytic processes

Achieving better process economics and productivity
Increase reaction rates - fast
Simplify the reaction steps - low investment cost
Carry out reaction under mild conditions (e.g. low T, P) - low energy consumption
Reducing wastes
Improving selectivity toward desired products - less raw materials required, less unwanted wastes
Replacing harmful/toxic materials with readily available ones
Producing certain products that may not be possible without catalysts

Having better control of process (safety, flexible etc.)
Encouraging application and advancement of new technologies and materials
And many more
6
Applications of Catalysis
Environmental applications
Pollution controls in combination with industrial processes
Pre-treatment - reduce the amount waste/change the composition of emissions
Post-treatments - once formed, reduce and convert emissions
Using alternative materials

Pollution reduction
gas - converting harmful gases to non-harmful ones
liquid - de-pollution, de-odder, de-colour etc
solid - landfill, factory wastes

And many more
Other applications
Catalysis and catalysts play one of the key roles in new technology development.
7
Research in Catalysis
Research in catalysis involve a multi-discipline approach
Reaction kinetics and mechanism
Reaction paths, intermediate formation & action, interpretation of results obtained under
various conditions, generalising reaction types & schemes, predict catalyst performance
Catalyst development
Material synthesis, structure properties, catalyst stability, compatibility
Analysis techniques
Detection limits in terms of dimension of time & size and under extreme conditions (T, P)
and accuracy of measurements, microscopic techniques, sample preparation techniques
Reaction modelling
Elementary reactions and rates, quantum mechanics/chemistry, physical chemistry
Reactor modelling
Mathematical interpretation and representation, the numerical method, micro-kinetics,
structure and efficiency of heat and mass transfer in relation to reactor design
Catalytic process
Heat and mass transfers, energy balance and efficiency of process
8
Catalytic Reaction Processes

Understanding catalytic reaction processes
A catalytic reaction can be operated in a batch manner
Reactants and catalysts are loaded together in reactor and catalytic
reactions (homo- or heterogeneous) take place in pre-determined
temperature and pressure for a desired time / desired conversion
Type of reactor is usually simple, basic requirements
Withstand required temperature & pressure
Some stirring to encourage mass and heat transfers
Provide sufficient heating or cooling
Catalytic reactions are commonly operated in a continuous manner

Reactants, which are usually in gas or liquid phase, are fed to reactor in
steady rate (e.g. mol/h, kg/h, m3/h)
Usually a target conversion is set for the reaction, based on this target
required quantities of catalyst is added
required heating or cooling is provided
required reactor dimension and characteristics are designed accordingly.
9

Catalytic reactions in a continuous operation (contd)
Reactants in continuous operation are mostly in gas phase or liquid phase
easy transportation
The heat & mass transfer rates in gas phase is much faster than those in liquid
Catalysts are pre-loaded, when using a solid catalyst, or fed together with
reactants when catalyst & reactants are in the same phase and pre-mixed
It is common to use solid catalyst because of its easiness to separate catalyst
from unreacted reactants and products
Note: In a chemical process separation usually accounts for ~80% of cost. That
is why engineers always try to put a liquid catalyst on to a solid carrier.
With pre-loaded solid catalyst, there is no need to transport catalyst which is
then more economic and less attrition of solid catalyst (Catalysts do not change
before and after a reaction and can be used for number cycles, months or years),
In some cases catalysts has to be transported because of need of regeneration
In most cases, catalytic reactions are carried out with catalyst in a
fixed-bed reactor (fluidised-bed in case of regeneration being needed),
with the reactant being gases or liquids
10

General requirements for a good catalyst
Activity - being able to promote the rate of desired reactions
Selective - being to promote only the rate of desired reaction and also
retard the undesired reactions
Note: The selectivity is sometime considered to be more important
than the activity and sometime it is more difficult to achieve
(e.g. selective oxidation of NO to NO2 in the presence of SO2)
Stability - a good catalyst should resist to deactivation, caused by
the presence of impurities in feed (e.g. lead in petrol poison TWC.
thermal deterioration, volatility and hydrolysis of active components
attrition due to mechanical movement or pressure shock
A solid catalyst should have reasonably large surface area needed for
reaction (active sites). This is usually achieved by making the solid
into a porous structure.
11
Example Heterogeneous Catalytic Reaction Process

The long journey for reactant molecules to
j. travel within gas phase
k. cross gas-liquid phase boundary gas phase
reactant molecule
l. travel within liquid phase/stagnant layer
j gas phase
m. cross liquid-solid phase boundary
n. reach outer surface of solid k
o. diffuse within pore l liquid phase /
p. arrive at reaction site mn stagnant layer
q. be adsorbed on the site and activated

r. react with other reactant molecules, either o
being adsorbed on the same/neighbour porous pore
sites or approaching from surface above solid
Product molecules must follow the same track

in the reverse direction to return to gas phase pq r
Heat transfer follows similar track

12
Solid Catalysts
Catalyst composition
Active phase
Where the reaction occurs (mostly metal/metal oxide)
Promoter
Textual promoter (e.g. Al - Fe for NH3 production)
Electric or Structural modifier
Catalyst
Poison resistant promoters
Support
Support / carrier
Increase mechanical strength
Increase surface area (98% surface area is supplied within the porous structure)
may or may not be catalytically active
13
Solid Catalysts
Some common solid support / carrier materials
Alumina Other supports
Inexpensive Active carbon (S.A. up to 1000 m2/g)
Surface area: 1 ~ 700 m2/g Titania (S.A. 10 ~ 50 m2/g)
Acidic Zirconia (S.A. 10 ~ 100 m2/g)
Silica Magnesia (S.A. 10 m2/g)
Inexpensive Lanthana (S.A. 10 m2/g)
Surface area: 100 ~ 800 m2/g Active site
Acidic
Zeolite
mixture of alumina and silica, porous pore
solid
often exchanged metal ion present
shape selective
acidic
14
Solid Catalysts Support
Preparation of catalysts
Precipitation
Drying
To form non-soluble precipitate by desired & firing
reactions at certain pH and temperature precursor add acid/base precipitate filter & wash
solution with pH control or deposit the resulting
Adsorption & ion-exchange precipitation precipitate
Support
Cationic: S-OH+ + C+ SOC+ + H+
adsorbed
Amount
Anionic: S-OH- + A- SA- + OH-
Drying
I-exch. S-Na+ + Ni 2+ D S-Ni 2+ + Na+ Concentration
& firing
Support
Impregnation
Fill the pores of support with a metal salt
solution of sufficient concentration to give Drying
the correct loading. & firing
Soln. of metal Pore saturated
Dry mixing precursor pellets
Physically mixed, grind, and fired
15
Solid Catalysts
Preparation of catalysts
Catalysts need to be calcined (fired) in order to decompose the precursor and to
received desired thermal stability. The effects of calcination temperature and time
are shown in the figures on the right. 40
BET S.A. m2/g

100
BET S.A.
Commonly used Pre-treatments 75
50
Reduction 25
if elemental metal is the active phase 0 0
0 10
500 600 700 800 900 Time / hours
Sulphidation Temperature C
if a metal sulphide is the active phase
Activation
Some catalysts require certain activation steps in order to receive the best performance.
Even when the oxide itself is the active phase it may be necessary to pre-treat the
catalyst prior to the reaction ActivityInduction period
Normal use
Typical catalyst life span dead
Can be many years or a few mins.

Time 16
Adsorption On Solid Surface

Adsorption
Adsorption is a process in which molecules from gas (or liquid) phase land
on, interact with and attach to solid surfaces.
The reverse process of adsorption, i.e. the process n which adsorbed
molecules escape from solid surfaces, is called Desorption.
Molecules can attach to surfaces in two different ways because of the
different forces involved. These are Physisorption (Physical adsorption) &
Chemisorption (Chemical adsorption)
Physisorption Chemisorption
force van de Waal chemcal bond
number of adsorbed layers multi only one layer
adsorption heat low (10-40 kJ/mol) high ( > 40 kJ/mol)
selectivity low high
temperature to occur low high
17

Adsorption process
Adsorbent and adsorbate
Adsorbent (also called substrate) - The solid that provides surface for adsorption
high surface area with proper pore structure and size distribution is essential
good mechanical strength and thermal stability are necessary
Adsorbate - The gas or liquid substances which are to be adsorbed on solid
Surface coverage, q
The solid surface may be completely or partially covered by adsorbed molecules
number of adsorption sites occupied
define q= q = 0~1
number of adsorption sites available
Adsorption heat
Adsorption is usually exothermic (in special cases dissociated adsorption can be
endothermic)
The heat of chemisorption is in the same order of magnitude of reaction heat;
the heat of physisorption is in the same order of magnitude of condensation heat.
18

Applications of adsorption process
Adsorption is a very important step in solid catalysed reaction processes
Adsorption in itself is a common process used in industry for various purposes
Purification (removing impurities from a gas / liquid stream)
De-pollution, de-colour, de-odour
Solvent recovery, trace compound enrichment
etc
Usually adsorption is only applied for a process dealing with small capacity
The operation is usually batch type and required regeneration of saturated adsorbent
Common adsorbents: molecular sieve, active carbon, silica gel, activated alumina.
Physisorption is an useful technique for determining the surface area, the pore
shape, pore sizes and size distribution of porous solid materials (BET surface area)
19

Characterisation of adsorption system
Adsorption isotherm - most commonly used, especially to catalytic reaction system, T=const.
The amount of adsorption as a function of pressure at set temperature
Adsorption isobar - (usage related to industrial applications)
The amount of adsorption as a function of temperature at set pressure
Adsorption Isostere - (usage related to industrial applications)
Adsorption pressure as a function of temperature at set volume
V3>V2
P4>P3
V2>V1
P3>P2
T1 V4>V3
Vol. adsorbed
Vol. adsorbed
T2 >T1 V1
Pressure
P2>P1
T3 >T2
P1
T4 >T3
T5 >T4
Pressure Temperature Temperature

Adsorption Isotherm Adsorption Isobar Adsorption Isostere
20

The Langmuir adsorption isotherm
Basic assumptions
surface uniform (DHads does not vary with coverage)
monolayer adsorption, and
no interaction between adsorbed molecules and adsorbed molecules immobile
Case I - single molecule adsorption A

when adsorption is in a dynamic equilibrium
A(g) + M(surface site) D AM
the rate of adsorption rads = kads (1-q) P case I
the rate of desorption rdes = kdes q

at equilibrium rads = rdes kads (1-q) P = kdes q
(kads / kdes ) P
rearrange it for q q
1 (kads / kdes ) B0 P
k ads Cs BP
let B0 q 0 B0 is adsorption coefficient
k des C 1 B0 P
21

The Langmuir adsorption isotherm (contd)
Case II - single molecule adsorbed dissociatively on one site
A-B(g) + M(surface site) D A-M-B
A B
the rate of A-B adsorption rads=kads (1-qA )(1-qB)PAB=kads (1-q )2PAB
A B
q=qA=qB
the rate of A-B desorption rdes=kdesqAqB =kdesq2
case II
at equilibrium rads = rdes kads (1-q )2PAB= kdes q2
rearrange it for q (kads / kdes ) PAB

q
1 (kads / kdes ) PAB
k Cs ( B0 PAB )1/2
Let. B0 ads q
k des C 1 ( B0 PAB )1/2
22

The Langmuir adsorption isotherm (contd)
Case III - two molecules adsorbed on two sites
A(g) + B(g) + 2M(surface site) D A-M + B-M
the rate of A adsorption rads,A = kads,A (1- qA- qB) PA A B
the rate of B adsorption rads,B = kads,B (1- qA- qB) PB

the rate of A desorption rdes,A = kdes,A qA case III
the rate of B desorption rdes,B = kdes,B qB
at equilibrium rads ,A = rdes ,A and rads ,B = rdes ,B
kads,A(1-qA-qB)PA=kdes,AqA and kads,B(1-qA-qB)PB=kdes,BqB
Cs , A B0 ,A PA Cs ,B B0 ,B PB
rearrange it for q qA qB
C 1 B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB C 1 B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB
kads,A k
where B0 ,A and B0 ,B ads,B are adsorption coefficients of A & B.
kdes ,A kdes ,B
23

The Langmuir adsorption isotherm (contd) A B
A A B
case III
case II Cs , A B0 ,A PA
case I qA
C 1 B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB
C BP Cs ( B0 PAB )1/2
q s 0 q C B0 ,B PB
C 1 B0 P C 1 ( B0 PAB )1/2 q B s ,B
k ads k ads k k
B0 B0 B0 ,A ads,A and B0 ,B ads,B
k des k des kdes ,A kdes ,B
Adsorption Adsorption qA
Cs , A

B0 ,A PA
A, B both strong C B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB
Strong kads>> kdes kads>> kdes C B0 ,B PB
q B s ,B
B0>>1 q C s 1 B0>>1 q
Cs
1 C B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB
C C q A Cs ,A / C 1
Weak kads<< kdes kads<< kdes A strong, B weak PB
q B Cs ,B / C ( B0 ,B / B0 ,A )
Cs C PA
B0<<1 q B0 P B0<<1 q s ( B0 P)1/2 q A Cs ,A / C B0 ,A PA
C C A weak, B weak
q B Cs ,B / C B0 ,B PB 24

Langmuir adsorption isotherm
Strong adsorption kads>> kdes q Cs 1
Cs BP C
case I q 0
C 1 B0 P kads<< kdes C
Weak adsorption q s B0 P
C
Cs ( B0 PAB )1/2
case II q
Amount adsorbed
C 1 ( B0 PAB )1/2
C B0 ,A PA
Case III q A s ,A mono-layer
large B0 (strong adsorp.)
C B0 ,B PB
q B s ,B moderate B0
small B0 (weak adsorp.)
Pressure
Langmuir adsorption isotherm established a logic picture of adsorption process

It fits many adsorption systems but not at all
The assumptions made by Langmuir do not hold in all situation, that causing error
Solid surface is heterogeneous thus the heat of adsorption is not a constant at different q
Physisorption of gas molecules on a solid surface can be more than one layer
25

Five types of physisorption isotherms are found over all solids
I
Type I is found for porous materials with small pores e.g. charcoal.
It is clearly Langmuir monolayer type, but the other 4 are not
II
Type II for non-porous materials
amount adsorbed
Type III porous materials with cohesive force between adsorbate

III
molecules greater than the adhesive force between adsorbate
molecules and adsorbent
IV Type IV staged adsorption (first monolayer then build up of additional
layers)
Type V porous materials with cohesive force between adsorbate

V
molecules and adsorbent being greater than that between
1.0 adsorbate molecules
relative pres. P/P0
26

Other adsorption isotherms
Many other isotherms are proposed in order to explain the observations
The Temkin (or Slygin-Frumkin) isotherm
Assuming the adsorption enthalpy DH decreases linearly with surface coverage
From ads-des equilibrium, ads. rate des. rate
rads=kads(1-q)P rdes=kdesq
DH of ads
Langmuir
B0 P b1eQs / RT P Temkin
q qs
1 B0 P 1 b1eQs / RT P
q
where Qs is the heat of adsorption. When Qs is a linear function of qi. Qs=Q0-iS (Q0 is a
constant, i is the number and S represents the surface site),
1 1 [b1eQs / RT P RT 1 b1P
the overall coverage q q s dS dS ln
1 b P exp(- i
0 (1 b eQs / RT P i RT
0
1 1
When b1P >>1 and b1Pexp(-i/RT) <<1, we have q =c1ln(c2P), where c1 & c2 are constants
Valid for some adsorption systems.

27

The Freundlich isotherm
assuming logarithmic change of adsorption enthalpy DH with surface coverage
From ads-des equilibrium, ads. rate des. rate
DH of ads
rads=kads(1-q)P rdes=kdesq Langmuir
Freundlich
B0 P b1eQi / RT P
q qi
1 B0 P 1 b1eQi / RT P q
where Qi is the heat of adsorption which is a function of qi. If there are Ni types of surface
sites, each can be expressed as Ni=aexp(-Q/Q0) (a and Q0 are constants), corresponding to a
fractional coverage qi, i qi Ni 0 [b1eQ / RT P / (1 b1eQ / RT P)] aeQ/Q0 dQ
the overall coverage q
iN
i 0

ae 0 dQ
Q/Q
the solution for this integration expression at small q is:

lnq=(RT/Q0)lnP+constant, or
as is the Freundlich equation normally written, q c1 p1 / C where c1=constant, 1/c2=RT/Q0
2
Freundlich isotherm fits, not all, but many adsorption systems.

28

BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) isotherm
Many physical adsorption isotherms were found, such as the types II and III, that the
adsorption does not complete the first layer (monolayer) before it continues to stack
on the subsequent layer (thus the S-shape of types II and III isotherms)
Basic assumptions
the same assumptions as that of Langmuir but allow multi-layer adsorption
the heat of ads. of additional layer equals to the latent heat of condensation
based on the rate of adsorption=the rate of desorption for each layer of ads.
the following BET equation was derived
P / P0 1 c -1
( P / P0 )
V ( 1 - P / P0 ) cVm cVm
Where P - equilibrium pressure
P0 - saturate vapour pressure of the adsorbed gas at the temperature
P/P0 is called relative pressure
V - volume of adsorbed gas per kg adsorbent
Vm -volume of monolayer adsorbed gas per kg adsorbent
c - constant associated with adsorption heat and condensation heat
Note: for many adsorption systems c=exp[(H1-HL)/RT], where H1 is adsorption heat of 1st layer &
HL is liquefaction heat, so that the adsorption heat can be determined from constant c.
29

Comment on the BET isotherm
BET equation fits reasonably well all known adsorption isotherms observed so far
(types I to V) for various types of solid, although there is fundamental defect in the
theory because of the assumptions made (no interaction between adsorbed
molecules, surface homogeneity and liquefaction heat for all subsequent layers
being equal).
BET isotherm, as well as all other isotherms, gives accurate account of adsorption
isotherm only within restricted pressure range. At very low (P/P0<0.05) and high
relative pressure (P/P0>0.35) it becomes less applicable.
The most significant contribution of BET isotherm to the surface science is that the
theory provided the first applicable means of accurate determination of the surface
area of a solid (since in 1945).
Many new development in relation to the theory of adsorption isotherm, most of them
are accurate for a specific system under specific conditions.
30

Use of BET isotherm to determine the surface area of a solid
At low relative pressure P/P0 = 0.05~0.35 it is found that
P / P0
P / P0 1 c -1 V (1- P / P0 )
( P / P0 ) ( P / P0 )
V ( 1 - P / P0 ) cVm cVm
Y = a +b X P/P0
The principle of surface area determination by BET method:

P / P0
A plot of against P/P0 will yield a straight line with slope of equal to (c-1)/(cVm)
V (1- P / P0 )
and intersect 1/(cVm).
For a given adsorption system, c and Vm are constant values, the surface area of a solid
material can be determined by measuring the amount of a particular gas adsorbed on the
surface with known molecular cross-section area Am,
V Vm - volume of monolayer adsorbed gas molecules calculated from the plot, L
As Am N m Am m 6.022 1023 VT,P - molar volume of the adsorbed gas, L/mol
VT , P
Am - cross-section area of a single gas molecule, m2
* In practice, measurement of BET surface area of a solid is carried out by N2 physisorption

at liquid N2 temperature; for N2, Am = 16.2 x 10-20 m2
31

Summary of adsorption isotherms
Name Isotherm equation Application Note
Cs BP Chemisorption and Useful in analysis of

Langmuir q 0
C 1 B0 P physisorption reaction mechanism
Temkin q =c1ln(c2P) Chemisorption Chemisorption
Easy to fit adsorption

Freundlich q c1 p1/ C2 Chemisorption and
data
physisorption
P / P0 1 c -1
BET ( P / P0 ) Multilayer physisorption Useful in surface area
V ( 1 - P / P0 ) cVm cVm determination
32
Mechanism of Surface Catalysed Reaction

Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism
A B
This mechanism deals with the surface-catalysed reaction in which + " P
that 2 or more reactants adsorb on surface without dissociation
A(g) + B(g) D A(ads) + B(ads) " P (the desorption of P is not r.d.s.)
The rate of reaction ri=k[A][B]=kqAqB B0 ,A PA

q
1 B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB
A
From Langmuir adsorption isotherm (the case III) we know B0 ,B PB

q B
We then have 1 B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB
B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB kB0 ,A B0 ,B PA PB
ri k

1 B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB 1 B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB 1 B0 ,A PA B0 ,B PB
When both A & B are weakly adsorbed (B0,APA<<1, B0,BPB<<1),
ri kB0 ,A B0 ,B PA PB k' PA PB 2nd order reaction
When A is strongly adsorbed (B0,APA>>1) & B weakly adsorbed (B0,BPB<<1 <<B0,APA)
kB0 ,A B0 ,B PA PB
ri kB0 ,B PB k' ' PB 1st order w.r.t. B
B0 ,A PA
33

B
Eley-Rideal mechanism
A
This mechanism deals with the surface-catalysed reaction in which " P
that one reactant, A, adsorb on surface without dissociation and
other reactant, B, approaching from gas to react with A
+ B(g)
A(g) D A(ads) P (the desorption of P is not r.d.s.)
The rate of reaction ri=k[A][B]=kqAPB

B0 ,A PA
From Langmuir adsorption isotherm (the case I) we know qA
1 B0 ,A PA
B P kB P P
We then have ri k 0 ,A A PB 0 ,A A B
1 B0 ,A PA 1 B0 ,A PA
When both A is weakly adsorbed or the partial pressure of A is very low (B0,APA<<1),
ri kB0 ,A PA PB k' PA PB 2nd order reaction
When A is strongly adsorbed or the partial pressure of A is very high (B0,APA>>1)
kB0 ,A PA PB
ri kPB 1st order w.r.t. B
B0 ,A PA
34

Mechanism of surface-catalysed reaction with dissociative adsorption
The mechanism of the surface-catalysed reaction in which one
reactant, AD, dissociatively adsorbed on one surface site B
+ B(g) A B
AD(g) D A(ads) + D(ads) P " P
(the des. of P is not r.d.s.)
The rate of reaction ri=k[A][B]=kqADPB

q AD
(B0 ,AD PAD
1/ 2
From Langmuir adsorption isotherm (the case I) we know

1 (B0 ,AD PAD
1/ 2
We then have ri k
(B0 ,AD PAD
1/ 2
P
k (B0 ,AD PAD PB
1/ 2
1 (B0 ,AD PAD 1 (B0 ,AD PAD

1/ 2 B 1/ 2
When both AD is weakly adsorbed or the partial pressure of AD is very low (B0,ADPAD<<1),
ri k (B0,AD PAD PB k' PAD
1/ 2 1/ 2
PB The reaction orders, 0.5 w.r.t. AD and 1 w.r.t. B
When A is strongly adsorbed or the partial pressure of A is very high (B0,APA>>1)
k (B0 ,AD PAD PB
1/ 2
ri kPB 1st order w.r.t. B

(B0,AD PAD
1/ 2
35

Mechanisms of surface-catalysed rxns involving dissociative adsorption
In a similar way one can derive mechanisms of other surface-catalysed reactions,
in which
dissociatively adsorbed one reactant, AD, (on one surface site) reacts with
another associatively adsorbed reactant B on a separate surface site
dissociatively adsorbed one reactant, AD, (on one surface site) reacts with
another dissociatively adsorbed reactant BC on a separate site

The use of these mechanism equations

Determining which mechanism applies by fitting experimental data to each.
Helping in analysing complex reaction network
Providing a guideline for catalyst development (formulation, structure,).
Designing / running experiments under extreme conditions for a better control

36
Solids and Solid Surface

Bulk and surface
The composition & structure of a solid in bulk and on surface
can differ due to
Surface contamination
Bombardment by foreign molecules when exposed to an environment
Surface enrichment
Some elements or compounds tend to be enriched (driving by thermodynamic
properties of the bulk and surface component) on surface than in bulk
Deliberately made different in order for solid to have specific properties
Coating (conductivity, hardness, corrosion-resistant etc)
Doping the surface of solid with specific active components in order perform certain
function such as catalysis

To processes that occur on surfaces, such as corrosion, solid sensors and

catalysts, the composition and structure of (usually number of layers of)
surface are of critical importance
37

Morphology of a solid and its surface
A solid, so as its surface, can be well-structured crystalline (e.g. diamond C,
carbon nano-tubes, NaCl, sugar etc) or amorphous (non-crystallised, e.g.
glass)
Mixture of different crystalline of the same substance can co-exist on
surface (e.g. monoclinic, tetragonal, cubic ZrO2)
Well-structured crystalline and amorphous can co-exist on surface
Both well-structured crystalline and amorphous are capable of being used
adsorbent and/or catalyst

38

Defects and dislocation on surface crystalline structure
A perfect crystal can be made in a controlled way
Surface defects
Terrace Step
terrace
step
kink
adatom / vacancy
Dislocation
screw dislocation
Defects and dislocation can be desirable for certain catalytic reactions

as these may provide the required surface geometry for molecules to be
adsorbed, beside the fact that these sites are generally highly energised.
39
Pores of Porous Solids

Pore sizes
micro pores dp <20-50 nm
meso-pores 20nm <dp<200nm
macro pores dp >200 nm
Pores can be uniform (e.g. polymers) or non-uniform (most metal oxides)
Pore size distribution
Typical curves to characterise pore size:
Cumulative curve
Frequency curve
wt dw
Uniform size distribution (a) & dd
Dwt a
non-uniform size distribution (b) b a b
Dd d d
Cumulative curve Frequency curve
40
Complex Reactions
Chain Reactions - Process

Many reactions proceed via chain reaction
polymerisation
explosion

Elementary reaction steps in chain reactions

1. Initiation step - creation of chain carriers (radicals, ions, neutrons etc, which are capable of
propagating a chain) by vigorous collisions, photon absorption
E
R R (the dot here signifies the radical carrying unpaired electron)
2. Propagation step - attacking reactant molecules to generate new chain carriers
R + M R + M
3. Termination step - two chain carriers combining resulting in the end of chain growth
R + M R-M
There are also other reactions occur during chain reaction:
Retardation step - chain carriers attacking product molecules breaking them to reactant
R + R-M R + M(leading to net reducing of the product formation rate)
Inhibition step - chain carriers being destroyed by reacting with wall or foreign matter
R + W R-W (leading to net reducing of the number of chain carriers)
41
Complex Reactions
Chain Reactions - Rate Law

Rate law of chain reaction
d [HBr] k[H 2 ][Br2 ]3/2
Example: overall reaction H2(g) + Br2(g) 2HBr(g) observed:
dt [Br2 ] k' [HBr]
elem step rate law
a. Initiation: Br2 2Br ra=ka[Br2]
b. Propagation: Br + H2 HBr + H rb=kb[Br][H2]
H + Br2 HBr + Br rb=kb[H][Br2]
c. Termination: Br + Br Br2 rc=kc[Br][Br]=kc[Br]2
H + H H2 (practically less important therefore neglected)
H + Br HBr (practically less important therefore neglected)
d. Retardn (obsvd.) H + HBr H2 + Br rd=kd[H][HBr]
HBr net rate: rHBr= rb+ rb- rd or d[HBr]/dt=kb[Br][H2]+kb[H][Br2]-kd[H][HBr]

Apply s.s.a. rH= rb- rb- rd or d[H]/dt=kb[Br][H2]- kb[H][Br2]-kd[H][HBr]=0
rBr= 2ra-rb+rb-2rc +rd or d[Br]/dt=2ka[Br2]-kb[Br][H2]+kb[H][Br2]-2 kc[Br]2 +kd[H][HBr]=0
d [HBr] 2kb (k a / kc [H 2 ][Br2 ]3/2

1/2
solve the above eqns we have
dt [Br2 ] (k d / k'b [HBr]
42
Complex Reactions
Chain Reactions - Polymerisation

Monomer - the individual molecule unit in a polymer
Type I polymerisation - Chain polymerisation
An activated monomer attacks another monomer, links to it, then likes another
monomer, so on, leading the chain growth eventually to polymer.
initiator chain-carrier rate law is the yield of Ix to xR
Initiation: Ix xR (usually r.d.s.) ri=ki[I] d [M ]
R + M M1 (fast) x ki [I]
dt
Propagation: M + M1 (MM1) M2 (fast)
M + M2 (MM2) M3 (fast)

M + Mn-1 (MMn-1) Mn rp=kp[M][M] (ri is the r.d.s.)
Termination: Mn + Mm (MnMm) Mm+n rt=kt[M]2
1/ 2
d [M] x ki [I]
Apply s.s.a. to [M] formed x ri - 2rp x ki [I]-2kt [M]2 0 [M]
dt 2 k t
The rate of propagation 1/ 2
d [M] d [M] x ki
or the rate of M consumption -rp -k p [M][M ] i.e. -k p [I]1/2[M]
or the rate of chain growth dt dt 2k t
43
Complex Reactions
Chain Reactions - Polymerisation

Type II polymerisation - Stepwise polymerisation
A specific section of molecule A reacts with a specific section of molecule B forming chain
(a-A-a) + (b-B-b) {a -A-(ab)-B-b}
H2N(CH2)6NH2 + HOOC(CH2)4COOH H2N(CH2)6NHOC(CH2)4COOH + H2O (1)
H-HN(CH2)6NHOC(CH2)4CO-OH
H-[HN(CH2)6NHOC(CH2)4CO]n-OH (n)
Note: If a small molecule is dropped as a result of reaction, like a H2O dropped in rxn (1), this type of
reaction is called condensation reaction. Protein molecules are formed in this way.
The rate law for the overall reaction of this type is the same as its elementary step
involving one H- containing unit & one -OH containing unit, which is the 2nd order
d [A] [A]0
-k[A][-OH] -k[A] 2 or [A]
dt 1 kt[A]0
the conversion of B (-OH containing substance) at time t is
[A]0 - [A] kt[A]0
XB
[A]0 1 kt[A]0
44
Complex Reactions
Chain Reactions - Explosion

Type I Explosion: Chain-branching explosion
Chain-branching - During propagation step of a chain reaction one attack by a
chain carrier can produce more than one new chain carriers
Chain-branching explosion
When chain-branching occurs the number carriers increases exponentially
the rate of reaction may cascade into explosion
Example: 2H2(g) + O2(g) 2H2O(g)
Initiation: H2 + O2 O2H + H
Propagation: H2 + O2H OH + H2O (non-branching)

H2 + OH H + H2O (non-branching)
O2 + H O + OH (branching) Lead to explosion

O + H2 OH + H (branching)
45
Complex Reactions
Explosion Reactions
Type II Explosion: Thermal explosion
A rapid increase of the rate of exothermic reaction with temperature
Strictly speaking thermal explosion is not caused by multiple production of chain carriers
Must be exothermic reaction
Must be in a confined space and within short time
DH T r DH T r DH
A combination of chain-branching reaction with heat accumulation can occur
simultaneously
46
Complex Reactions
Photochemical Reactions
Photochemical reaction
The reaction that is initiated by the absorption of light (photons)
Characterisation of photon absorption - quantum yield
A reactant molecule after absorbing a photon becomes excited. The excitation may lead
to product formation or may be lost (e.g. in form of heat emission)
The number of specific primary products (e.g. a radical, photon-excited molecule, or an ion)
formed by absorption of each photon, is called primary quantum yield,
The number of reactant molecules that react as a result of each photon absorbed is call
overall quantum yield, F
E.g. HI + hv H + I primary quantum yield =2 (one H and one I)
H + HI H2 + I
2I I2 overall quantum yield F =2 (two HI molecules reacted)
Note: Many chain reactions are initiated by photochemical reaction. Because of chain reaction
overall quantum yield can be very large, e.g. F = 104
The quantum yield of a photochemical reaction depends on the wavelength of light used
47
Complex Reactions
Photochemical Reactions
Wave-length selectivity of photochemical reaction
A light with a specific wave length may only excite a specific type of molecule
Quantum yield of a photochemical rxn may vary with light (wave-length) used
Isotope separation (photochemical reaction Application)
Different isotope species - different mass - different frequencies required to match
their vibration-rotational energys
508 nm light
e.g. I36Cl + I37Cl I36Cl + I37Cl* (only 37Cl molecules are excited)
C6H5Br + I37Cl* C6H537Cl + IBr
Photosensitisation (photochemical reaction Application)
Reactant molecule A may not be activated in a photochemical reaction because it
does not absorb light, but A may be activated by the presence of another molecule
B which can be excited by absorbing light, then transfer some of its energy to A.
254 nm light
e.g. Hg + H2 Hg* + H2 (Hg is, but H2 is not excited by 254nm light)
Hg* + H2 Hg + 2H* & Hg* + H2 HgH + H*
CO H2
H* HCO HCHO + H*
2HCO HCHO + CO
48
Spectroscopy
Introduction to Spectroscopy
What is Spectroscopy
The study of structure and properties of atoms and molecule by means of the spectral
information obtained from the interaction of electromagnetic radiant energy with matter
It is the base on which a main class of instrumental analysis and methods is developed
& widely used in many areas of modern science
What to be discussed
Theoretical background of spectroscopy
Types of spectroscopy and their working principles in brief
Major components of common spectroscopic instruments
Applications in Chemistry related areas and some examples
49
Introductory to Spectroscopy
Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation (e.m.r.)
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy
Wave-particle duality of electromagnetic radiation
Wave nature - expressed in term of frequency, wave-length and velocity
Particle nature - expressed in terms of individual photon, discrete packet of energy
when expressing energy carried by a photon, we need to know the its frequency
Characteristics of wave
Frequency, v - number of oscillations per unit time, unit: hertz (Hz) - cycle per second
velocity, c - the speed of propagation, for e.m.r c=2.9979 x 108 ms-1 (in vacuum)
wave-length, l - the distance between adjacent crests of the wave
wave number, v, - the number of waves per unit distance v =l-1
c
v v' c
l
The energy carried by an e.m.r. or a photon is directly proportional to the
frequency, i.e. E hv hc hv' c where h is Plancks constant h=6.626x10-34Js
l
50
Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation
X-ray, light, infra-red, microwave and radio waves are all e.m.r.s, difference being their
frequency thus the amount of energy they possess
Spectral region of e.m.r.
51
Interaction of e.m.r. with Matter

Interaction of electromagnetic radiant with matter
The wave-length, l, and the wave number, v, of e.m.r. changes with the medium it
travels through, because of the refractive index of the medium; the frequency, v,
however, remains unchanged
Types of interactions
Absorption
absorption
Reflection
transmission
Transmission
Scattering
reflection scattering refraction
Refraction
Each interaction can disclose certain properties of the matter

When applying e.m.r. of different frequency (thus the energy e.m.r. carried)
different type information can be obtained
52
Spectrum
Spectrum is the display of the energy level of e.m.r. as a function of wave
number of electromagnetic radiation energy
The energy level of e.m.r. is usually expressed in one of these terms
absorbance (e.m.r. being absorbed)
transmission (e.m.r. passed through)
Intensity
The term intensity has the meaning of the radiant power that carried by an e.m. r.
1.0
intensity
0.5
. 0.0
350 400 450
wave length cm-1
53
Spectrum
What an spectrum tells
A peak (it can also be a valley depending on how the spectrum is constructed)
represents the absorption or emission of e.m.r. at that specific wavenumber
The wavenumber at the tip of peak is the most important, especially when a peak is broad
A broad peak may sometimes consist of several peaks partially overlapped each other -
mathematic software (usually supplied) must be used to separate them case of a broad
peak (or a valley) observed
The height of a peak corresponds the amount absorption/emission thus can be used as a
quantitative information (e.g. concentration), a careful calibration is usually required
The ratio in intensity of different peaks does not necessarily means the ratio of the quantity
(e.g. concentration, population of a state etc.)
1.0
intensity
0.5
.
0.0
350 400 450
wave length cm-1
54
Spectral properties, applications, and

interactions of electromagnetic radiation
Energy Wave number Wavelength Frequency Type of Type of Type of
v l v quantum
Electron cm radiation spectroscopy
kcal/mol vole eV cm-1 Hz transition
Gamma Gamma ray
9.4x107 4.1x106 3.3x1010 3.0x10-11 1021 Nuclear
ray emission
X-ray Electronic
9.4x105 4.1x104 3.3x108 3.0x10-9 1019 absorption (inner shell)
X-ray emission
9.4x103 4.1x102 3.3x106 3.0x10-7 1017

Ultra Violet Vac UV absorption
absorption
UV emission Electronic
9.4x101 4.1x100 3.3x104 3.0x10-5 1015 Visible Vis fluorescence (outer shell)
Infrared IR absorption
Raman
9.4x10-1 4.1x10-2 3.3x102 3.0x10-3 1013 Molecular
vibration
Microwave Microwave Molecular
9.4x10-3 4.1x10-4 3.3x100 3.0x10-1 1011 rotation
absorption
Electron
9.4x10-5 4.1x10-6 3.3x10-2 3.0x101 109 paramagnet Magnetically
resonance induced spin
Nuclear magnetic states
9.4x10-7 4.1x10-8 3.3x10-4 3.0x103 107 Radio resonance
55
Examples
1. A laser emits light with a frequency of 4.69x1014 s-1. (h = 6.63 x 10-34Js)
A) What is the energy of one photon of the radiation from this laser?
B) If the laser emits 1.3x10-2J during a pulse, how many photons are emitted during the pulse?
Ans: A) Ephoton = hn 6.63 x 10-34Js x 4.69x1014 s-1 = 3.11 x 10-19 J
B) No. of photons = (1.3x10-2J )/(3.11 x 10-19J) = 4.2x1016
2. The brilliant red colours seen in fireworks are due to the emission of red light at a wave
length of 650nm. What is the energy of one photon of this light? (h = 6.63 x 10-34Js)
Ans: Ephoton = hn = hc/l (6.63 x 10-34Js x 3 x 108ms-1)/650x10-9m = 3.06x10-19J
3: Compare the energies of photons emitted by two radio stations, operating at 92 MHz
(FM) and 1500 kHz (MW)?
Ans: Ephoton = hn
92 MHz = 92 x 106 Hz (s-1) =>
E = (6.63 x 10-34 Js) x (92 x 106 s-1) = 6.1 x 10-26J
.
1500 kHz = 1500 x 103 Hz (s-1)
E = (6.63 x 10-34 Js) x (1500 x 103 s-1) = 9.9 x 10-28J
56
Atomic Spectra
Shell structure & energy level of atoms Excited
state
In an atom there are a number of shells and ground
state n=1
of subshells where e-s can be found
n=2
The energy level of each shell & subshell
are different and quantised n = 3,
etc.
The e-s in the shell closest to the nuclei has energy
the lowest energy. The higher shell number DE
is, the higher energy it is
The exact energy level of each shell and
subshell varies with substance 4f
4d
Ground state and excited state of e-s n=4
4p
e-
Under normal situation an stays at the 3d
lowest possible shell - the e- is said to be at 4s
Energy
n=3
its ground state 3p
3s
Upon absorbing energy (excited), an e- can n=2 2p
change its orbital to a higher one - we say 2s
the e- is at is excited state. n=1 1s
57
Atomic Spectra
Electron excitation energy
n=1
DE
The excitation can occur at different degrees n=2
low E tends to excite the outmost e-s first n = 3,
when excited with a high E (photon of high v) etc.
an e- can jump more than one levels
even higher E can tear inner e-s away from
nuclei
An e- at its excited state is not stable and

tends to return its ground state
4f
If an e- jumped more than one energy levels 4d
n=4
because of absorption of a high E, the 4p
3d
process of the e- returning to its ground state 4s
Energy
may take several steps, - i.e. to the nearest n=3 3p
low energy level first then down to next 3s
n=2 2p
2s
n=1 1s
58
Atomic Spectra
energy
Atomic spectra n=1
DE
The level and quantities of energy supplied n=2
to excite e-s can be measured & studied in n = 3,
terms of the frequency and the intensity of etc.
an e.m.r. - the absorption spectroscopy
The level and quantities of energy emitted
by excited e-s, as they return to their
ground state, can be measured & studied
by means of the emission spectroscopy
The level & quantities of energy absorbed 4f
4d
or emitted (v & intensity of e.m.r.) are n=4
4p
specific for a substance 3d
4s
Energy
n=3 3p
Atomic spectra are mostly in UV (sometime
3s
in visible) regions n=2 2p
2s
n=1 1s
59
Spectroscopy
Molecular Spectra
Motion & energy of molecules
Molecules are vibrating and rotating all the time,
two main vibration modes being
v4
stretching - change in bond length (higher v) v3
v2
bending - change in bond angle (lower v)
v1
(other possible complex types of stretching & v4
bending are: scissoring / rocking / twisting v3
S2 v2
Molecules are normally at their ground state (S0) v1 v4
v3
S (Singlet) - two e-s spin in pair E v2
S1 v1
T (Triplet) - two e-s spin parallel J
Upon exciting molecules can change to high E

states (S1, S2, T1 etc.), which are associated with T1
specific levels of energy
v4
The change from high E states to low ones can v3
v2
be stimulated by absorbing a photon; the v1
change from low to high E states may result in
photon emission S0
60
Spectroscopy
Molecular Spectra
Excitation of a molecule
The energy levels of a molecule at
v4
each state / sub-state are quantised v3
v2
To excite a molecule from its ground v1
state (S0) to a higher E state (S1, S2, T1 v4
v3
etc.), the exact amount of energy equal S2 v2 v4
to the difference between the two v1 v3
v2
states has to be absorbed. (Process A) v1
S1
i.e. to excite a molecule from S0,v1 to S2,v2,
e.m.r with wavenumber v must be used A
absorption T1
hcv' ES2 ,v 2 - ES0 ,v1
The values of energy levels vary with A
the (molecule of) substance. v4
v3
Molecular absorption spectra are the v2
measure of the amount of e.m.r., at a v1
specific wavenumber, absorbed by a S0
substance.
61
Spectroscopy
Molecular Spectra
Energy change of excited molecules
Internal Inter- system
An excited molecules can lose its excess v4 crossing
transition
energy via several processes v3
v2
Process B - Releasing E as heat when changing v1
from a sub-state to the parental state occurs B E1 v4
v3
within the same state S2 v2 v4
The remaining energy can be release by one of v1 v3
v2
following Processes (C, D & E) B E2
S1 v1
Process C - Transfer its remaining E to other
chemical species by collision A C D
T1
Process D - Emitting photons when falling back Fluorescence
to the ground state - Fluorescence Fluorescence
F
Process E1 - Undergoing internal transition
v4
within the same mode of the excited state v3
v2
Process E2 - Undergoing intersystem crossing
to a triplet sublevel of the excited state v1
B
Process F - Radiating E from triplet to ground S0
state (triplet quenching) - Phosphorescence Jablonsky diagram
62
Spectroscopy
Molecular Spectra
Two types of molecular emission spectra
Fluorescence
v4
In the case fluorescence the energy emitted can be the v3
same or smaller (if heat is released before radiation) than v2 v4
the corresponding molecular absorption spectra. v1 v3
B v2
e.g. adsorption in UV region - emission in UV or visible S2 v1
region (the wavelength of visible region is longer than that
of UV thus less energy) T1
Fluorescence can also occur in atomic adsorption spectra Fluore- phosphor-

A scence enscence
Fluorescence emission is generally short-lived (e.g. ms)
Phosphorescence D F
Phosphorescence generally takes much longer to v4

v3
complete (called metastable) than fluorescence because v2
of the transition from triplet state to ground state involves v1
altering the e-s spin. If the emission is in visible light
region, the light of excited material fades away gradually S0
63
Atomic Spectra & Molecular Spectra

Comparison of atomic and molecular spectra
Atomic spectra Molecular spectra
Adsorption spectra Yes Yes
Emission spectra Yes Yes
Energy required for excitation high low
Change of energy level related to change of e-s orbital change of vibration states
Spectral region UV mainly visible
Relative complexity of spectra simple complex
Quantum mechanics is the basis of atomic & molecular spectra

The transitional, rotational and vibrational modes of motion of objects of atomic /
molecular level are well-explained.
64
Spectroscopy Application
UV & Visible Spectrophotometry

Observations
Incident light, I0 Emergent light, I
(UV or visible)
ultraviolet visible infra-red
C
200 - 400 400 - 800 800 - 15
nm nm nm nm nm mm b
When a light of intensity I0 goes through a liquid of concentration C & layer thickness b
The emergent light, I, has less intensity than the incident light I0
scattering, reflection
absorption by liquid
There are different levels of reduction in light intensity at different wavelength
detect by eye - colour change
detect by instrument
The method used to measure UV & visible light absorption is called spectrophotometry
(colourimetry refers to the measurement of absorption of light in visible region only)
65

Theory of light absorption
Incident light Emergent light
Quantitative observation I0 I
The thicker the cuvette C
- more diminishing of light in intensity
b
Higher concentration the liquid
- the less the emergent light intensity
These observations are summarised by Beers Law:
Successive increments in the number of identical absorbing molecules in the path of a beam
of monochromatic radiation absorb equal fraction of the radiation power travel through them
light fraction
Thus b absorbed of light
x dI dI
s 2
-k' I -k' Ncs 2 dx -acdx
I0 I Ncs dx I
I b dI b I
s number of -ac dx ln b -acb
I0 I 0 I0
molecules Absorbance
N-Avogadro number I
dx log 0 abc A
I 66

Terms, units and symbols for use with Beers Law
Name alternative name symbol definition unit

Path length - b (or l) - cm
Liquid concentration - c - mol / L
Transmittance Transmission T I / I0 -
Percent transmittance - T% 100x I / I0 %
Absorbance Optical density, A log(I / I0) -
extinction
Absorptivity Extinction coeff., a (or e, k) A/(bc) [bc]-1

absorbance index
Molar absorptivity Molar extinction coeff., a A/(bc)

molar absorbancy index [or aM AM/(bc) ] M-molar weight
c -gram/L
67

Use of Beers Law
Beers law can be applied to the absorption of UV, visible, infra-red & microwave
The limitations of the Beers Law
Effect of solvent - Solvents may absorb light to a various extent,
e.g. the following solvents absorb more than 50% of the UV light going through them
180-195nm sulphuric acid (96%), water, acetonitrile
200-210nm cyclopentane, n-hexane, glycerol, methanol, ethanol
210-220nm n-butyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, cyclohexane, ethyl ether
245-260nm chloroform, ethyl acetate, methyl formate
265-275nm carbon tetrachloride, dimethyl sulphoxide/formamide, acetic acid
280-290nm benzene, toluene, m-xylene
300-400nm pyridine, acetone, carbon disulphide
Effect of temperature
Varying temperature may cause change of concentration of a solute because of
thermal expansion of solution
changing of equilibrium composition if solution is in equilibrium
68

What occur to a molecule when absorbing UV-visible photon?
A UV-visible photon (ca. 200-700nm) promotes a bonding or non-bonding
electron into antibonding orbital - the so called electronic transition
Bonding e-s appear in s & p molecular
s* Antibonding
orbitals; non-bonding in n
p*
Antibonding
Antibonding orbitals correspond to the
n p*
n s*
s s*
pp*
bonding ones
Energy
e-s transition can occur between various n non-bonding
states; in general, the energy of e-s p
transition increases in the following order: Bonding
(np*) < (ns*) < (p p*) < (s s*) s
Molecules which can be analysed by UV-visible absorption

Chromophores
functional groups each of which absorbs a characteristic UV or visible radiation.
69

The functional groups & the wavelength of UV-visible absorption
Group Example lmax, nm Group Example lmax, nm
C=C 1-octane 180 arene benzene 260

naphthalene 280
C=O methanol 290 phenenthrene 350
propanone 280 anthracene 375
ethanoic acid 210 pentacene 575
ethyl ethanoate 210
ethanamide 220 conjugated 1,3-butadiene 220
1,3,5-hexatriene 250
C-X methanol 180 2-propenal 320
trimethylamine 200 b-carotene (11 C=C) 480
chloromethane 170
bromomethane 210 each additional C=C +30
iodomethane 260
70

Instrumentation
UV visible
Light source Hydrogen discharge lamp Tungsten-halogen lamp
Cuvette QUARTZ glass

Detectors photomultiplier photomultiplier
71

Applications
Analysis of unknowns using Beers Law calibration curve
Absorbance vs. time graphs for kinetics
Single-point calibration for an equilibrium constant determination
Spectrophotometric titrations a way to follow a reaction if at least one
substance is colored sudden or sharp change in absorbance at
equivalence point
72
IR-Spectroscopy
Atoms in a molecule are constantly in motion
There are two main vibrational modes:
Stretching - (symmetrical/asymmetrical) change in bond length - high frequency
Bending - (scissoring/stretch/rocking/twisting) change in bond angle - low freq.
The rotation and vibration of bonds occur in specific frequencies

Every type of bond has a natural frequency of vibration, depending on
the mass of bonded atoms (lighter atoms vibrate at higher frequencies)
the stiffness of bond (stiffer bonds vibrate at higher frequencies)
the force constant of bond (electronegativity)
the geometry of atoms in molecule
The same bond in different compounds has a slightly different vibration frequ.
Functional groups have characteristic stretching frequencies.
73
IR-Spectroscopy
IR region
The part of electromagnetic radiation between the visible and microwave regions 0.8
mm to 50 mm (12,500 cm-1-200 cm-1).
Most interested region in Infrared Spectroscopy is between 2.5mm-25 mm
(4,000cm-1-400cm-1), which corresponds to vibrational frequency of molecules
Interaction of IR with molecules

Only molecules containing covalent bonds with dipole moments are infrared sensitive
Only the infrared radiation with the frequencies matching the natural vibrational
frequencies of a bond (the energy states of a molecule are quantitised) is absorbed
Absorption of infrared radiation by a molecule rises the energy state of the molecule
increasing the amplitude of the molecular rotation & vibration of the covalent bonds
Rotation - Less than 100 cm-1 (not included in normal Infrared Spectroscopy)
Vibration - 10,000 cm-1 to 100 cm-1
The energy changes thr. infrared radiation absorption is in the range of 8-40 KJ/mol
74
IR-Spectroscopy
Use of Infra-Red spectroscopy
IR spectroscopy can be used to distinguish one compound from another.
No two molecules of different structure will have exactly the same natural
frequency of vibration, each will have a unique infrared absorption spectrum.
A fingerprinting type of IR spectral library can be established to distinguish a
compounds or to detect the presence of certain functional groups in a molecule.
Obtaining structural information about a molecule
Absorption of IR energy by organic compounds will occur in a manner
characteristic of the types of bonds and atoms in the functional groups present in
the compound
Practically, examining each region (wave number) of the IR spectrum allows one
identifying the functional groups that are present and assignment of structure
when combined with molecular formula information.
The known structure information is summarized in the Correlation Chart
75
IR Spectrum
Principal Correlation Chart Region freq. (cm-1) what is found there??
O-H 3600 cm-1
XH region 3800 - 2600 OH, NH, CH (sp, sp2, sp3) stretches
N-H 3500 cm-1
triple bond 2400 - 2000 CC, CN, C=C=C stretches
C-H 3000 cm-1
CN 2250 cm-1 double bond 1900 - 1500 C=O, C=N, C=C stretches
CC 2150 cm-1 fingerprint 1500 - 400 many types of absorptions
C=O 1715 cm-1 1400 - 900 C-O, C-N stretches
C=C 1650 cm-1 1500 - 1300 CH in-plane bends, NH bends
C-O 1100 cm-1 1000 - 650 CH out-of-plane (oop) bends
Dispersive (Double Beam) Split Photometer

Beam Air
IR Spectrophotometer
Prism
or
IR Source Lenz Diffraction Slit Sample Recorder
Grating
76
Atomic Absorption/Emission Spectroscopy

Atomic absorption/emission spectroscopes involve e-s changing energy states
Most useful in quantitative analysis of elements, especially metals
These spectroscopes are usually carried out in
optical means, involving
conversion of compounds/elements to gaseous
atoms by atomisation. Atomization is the most
critical step in flame spectroscopy. Often limits
the precision of these methods.
excitation of electrons of atoms through heating
or X-ray bombardment
UV/vis absorption, emission or fluorescence of
atomic species in vapor is measured
Instrument easy to tune and operate
Sample preparation is simple (often involving Source: R. Thomas, Choosing the Right Trace Element
Technique, Todays Chemist at Work, Oct. 1999, 42.
only dissolution in an acid)
77
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AA)

Source
P0 P
Wavelength Signal Processor
Detector
Selector Readout
Chopper
Type Method of Atomization Radiation

Source
atomic (flame) sample solution aspirated Hollow cathode
into a flame lamp (HCL)
atomic (nonflame) sample solution HCL

Sample evaporated & ignited
x-ray absorption none required x-ray tube
78
Atomic Emission Spectrometer (AES)

P
Source Detector
Selector Readout

Source
arc sample heated in an electric arc sample
Sample spark sample excited in a high voltage

spark sample
argon plasma sample heated in an argon plasma sample
flame sample solution aspirated into

a flame sample
x-ray emission none required; sample

bombarded w/ e- sample
79
Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer (AFS)
P0 P
Detector
Selector Readout
90o
Source Source
atomic (flame) sample solution aspirated
into a flame sample
atomic (nonflame) sample solution sample

Sample evaporated & ignited
x-ray fluorescence none required sample
80
Laser - Characteristics
Laser - is a special type of light sources or light generators. The word
LASER represents Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
Characteristics of light produced by Lasers
Monochromatic (single wavelength)
Coherent (in phase)
Directional (narrow cone of divergence)
Incandescent lamp
Chromatic
Incoherent
The first microwave laser was made in
Non-directional
the microwave region in 1954 by Townes
& Shawlow using ammonia as the lasing
medium.
The first optical laser was constructed Monochromatic light source
by Maiman in 1960, using ruby (Al2O3
doped with a dilute concentration of Cr+3) Coherent
as the lasing medium and a fast Non-directional
discharge flash-lamp to provide the pump
energy.
81
Laser - Stimulated Emission

When excited atoms/molecules/ions undergo de-excitation (from excited state
to ground state), light is emitted
Types of light emission
E4
Spontaneous emission - chromatic & incoherent E3
excited
Excited e-s
when returning to ground states emit E2 state
light spontaneously (called spontaneous emission). E1
Ep1 Ep2
Photons emitted when e-s return from different
excited states to ground states have different ground
Ep4
state
frequencies (chromatic) E0
Ep1=(E1 E0) = hv1
Spontaneous emission happens randomly and
Ep2=(E2 E0) = hv2
requires no event to trigger the transition (various Ep4=(E4 E0) = hv4
phase or incoherent)
82
Laser - Stimulated Emission

Types of light emission (contd)
Stimulated emission - monochromatic & coherent
While an atom is still in its excited state, one can E4
bring it down to its ground state by stimulating it E3
with a photon (P1) having an energy equal to the E2
energy difference of the excited state and the
ground state. In such a process, the incident E1
photon (P1) is not absorbed and is emitted
together with the photon (P2), The latter will have Ep1=(E2 Ep1=(E2E0)=hv2
the same frequency (or energy) and the same E0)=hv2 Ep2=(E2E0)=hv2
phase (coherent) as the stimulating photon (P1). E0
Laser uses the stimulated emission process to amplify the light intensity
As in the stimulated emission process, one incident photon (P1) will bring about the
emission of an additional photon (P2), which in turn can yield 4 photons, then 8
photons, and so on.
83
Laser - Formation & Conditions

The conditions must be satisfied in order to sustain such a chain reaction:
Population Inversion (PI), a situation that there are more atoms in a certain
excited state than in the ground state
PI can be achieved by a variety means (electrical, optical, chemical or mechanical), e.g., one
may obtain PI by irradiating the system of atoms by an enormously intense light beam or, if the
system of atoms is a gas, by passing an electric current through the gas.
Presence of Metastable state, which is the excited state that the excited e-s can
have a relatively long lifetime (>10-8 second), in order to avoid the spontaneous
emission occurring before the stimulated emission
In most lasers, the atoms/molecules/ions in the lasing medium are not pumped directly to a
metastable state. They are excited to an energy level higher than a metastable state, then
drop down to the metastable state by spontaneous non-radiative de-excitation.
Photon Confinement (PC), the emitted photons must be confined in the system
long enough to stimulate further light emission from other excited atoms
This is achieved by using reflecting mirrors at the ends of the system. One end is made totally
reflecting & the other is slight transparent to allow part of the laser beam to escape.
84
Laser - Functional Elements
Output
Feedback mechanism
coupler
Lasing medium
High Energy Partially

reflectance input transmitting
mirror mirror
Energy pumping
mechanism
85
Laser Action
Lasing medium
at ground state
Pump energy
Population
inversion
Pump energy
Start of stimulated
emission
Pump energy
Stimulated emission
building up
Pump energy
Laser in
full operation
86
Types of Lasers
There are many different types of lasers
The lasing medium can be gas, liquid or solid (insulator or semiconductor)
Some lasers produce continuous light beam and some give pulsed light beam
Most lasers produce light wave with a fixed wave-length, but some can be tuned
to produce light beam of wave-length within a certain range.
Laser type Physical form of lasing medium Wave length (nm)

Helium neon laser Gas 633
Carbon dioxide laser Gas 10600 (far-infrared)
Argon laser Gas 488, 513, 361 (UV), 364 (UV)
Nitrogen laser Gas 337 (UV)
Dye laser Liquid Tunable: 570-650
Ruby laser Solid 694
Nd:Yag laser Solid 1064 (infrared)
Diode laser Semiconductor 630-680
87
Laser - Applications
Laser can be applied in many areas
Commerce
Compact disk, laser printer, copiers, optical disk drives, bar code scanner, optical
communications, laser shows, holograms, laser pointers
Industry
Measurements (range, distance), alignment, material processing (cutting, drilling,
welding, annealing, photolithography, etc.), non-destructive testing, sealing
Medicine
Surgery (eyes, dentistry, dermatology, general), diagnostics, ophthalmology,
oncology
Research
Spectroscopy, nuclear fusion, atom cooling, interferometry, photochemistry, study of
fast processes
Military
Ranging, navigation, simulation, weapons, guidance, blinding
88

Catalysis & Catalysts: Facts and Figures About Catalysts

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Catalysis & Catalysts: Facts and Figures About Catalysts

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CH4003 Lecture Notes 11 (Erzeng Xue)

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalysis & Catalysts

Three key aspects of catalyst action

Catalysis & Catalysts

The intermediates formed are different from catalytic

Catalysis & Catalysts

e.g CH4(g) + CO2(g) = 2CO(g) + 2H2(g) DG373=151 kJ/mol (100 C)

Catalysis & Catalysts

Types of Catalysts & Catalytic Reactions

Catalysis & Catalysts

Advantages of catalytic processes

Producing certain products that may not be possible without catalysts

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalytic Reaction Processes

Catalytic reactions are commonly operated in a continuous manner

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalytic Reaction Processes

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalytic Reaction Processes

Catalysis & Catalysts

Example Heterogeneous Catalytic Reaction Process

q. be adsorbed on the site and activated

Product molecules must follow the same track

Heat transfer follows similar track

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalysis & Catalysts

Catalysis & Catalysts

Solid Catalysts Support

Catalysis & Catalysts

BET S.A. m2/g

Can be many years or a few mins.

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

Adsorbate - The gas or liquid substances which are to be adsorbed on solid

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

Pressure Temperature Temperature

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

Case I - single molecule adsorption A

the rate of desorption rdes = kdes q

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

rearrange it for q (kads / kdes ) PAB

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

the rate of A adsorption rads,A = kads,A (1- qA- qB) PA A B

the rate of B adsorption rads,B = kads,B (1- qA- qB) PB

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface

Langmuir adsorption isotherm established a logic picture of adsorption process

Catalysis & Catalysts

Adsorption On Solid Surface