Chemical Engineering and Catalysis

Advances in Catalysis

All aspects of catalysis and includes heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, and biocatalysts. Modern investigation of catalytic reactions requires a multi-technique approach where each experimental tool, as well as theoretical models, provides specific information. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is undoubtedly one of the most important tools for the characterization of catalytic systems because of its surface and chemical sensitivity. In the last decades, the full implementation of nanotechnology has strongly influenced also the world of catalysis making a microscopic approach mandatory for many spectroscopic techniques. The scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) combines XPS with spatial resolution, it is a powerful technique to image and probe chemical and electronic properties of microstructure and nanostructure and domains. The energy content and transfer of any catalytic processes is easily understood by applying the principles of thermodynamics which provides an insight whether the process is attainable or not. Therefore, thermodynamics is used to describe the macroscopic behavior of chemical systems through understanding the properties of atoms and molecules. Homogeneous or heterogeneous transition metal catalyst is another hot area of research especially in industrial applications.