US-Sweden Cooperative Research: High Resolution ESCA Studies of Surface Electronic States In Cu/ZnO Methanol Synthesis Catalysts

该奖项将支持在异构的合作研究 利哈伊大学的加里西蒙斯博士和 Ulrik Gelius和Nils Martensson，物理研究所，大学 瑞典乌普萨拉。 X射线光电子能谱（ESCA）是一种主要的 材料科学的重要性。 这方面的最新发展 该领域有望取得前所未有的进展，以及精确的 对材料特性的理解， 界面现象 在这个项目中，西蒙斯博士将 使用瑞典开发的ESCA仪器研究相互作用 铜和锌的氧化物之间，据信， Cu/ZnO甲醇合成催化剂的活性。 乌普萨拉 仪器在高能量分辨率下具有最高的灵敏度 在世界上，因此有能力解决 铜-氧化锌价带光电子相互作用 Cu/ZnO催化剂的光谱。 高分辨光谱 核心电子能级，以及俄歇电子跃迁， 可能为铜锌氧化物 互动 此外，参与正在进行的方案 物理研究所的首席研究员 有机会了解新的理论基础， 这些信息可能会被新一代的 高分辨率ESCA仪器。 该项目将受益于 异质性的重要背景和经验 首席研究员的催化作用，以及最近的 乌普萨拉集团对高能应用的兴趣 解决ESCA的固态问题，包括催化。

This award will support collaborative research in heterogeneous catalysis between Dr. Gary Simmons, Lehigh University and Profs. Ulrik Gelius and Nils Martensson, Physics Institute, University of Uppsala, Sweden. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA) is a tool of major importance in materials science. Recent developments in this field promise unprecedented advances, as well as precision in the understanding of properties of materials that stem from interfacial phenomena. In this joint project, Dr. Simmons will use ESCA instruments developed in Sweden to study the interaction between copper and zinc oxide that is believed to account for the activity of Cu/ZnO methanol synthesis catalysts. The Uppsala instrument has the highest sensitivity at high energy resolution in the world, and thus has the capability of resolving the copper-zinc oxide interaction from the valence band photo electron spectrum of the Cu/ZnO catalyst. High resolution spectra of the core electron levels, as well as the Auger electron transition, may provide further evidence for the copper-zinc oxide interaction. In addition, participation in the ongoing programs at the Physics Institute will afford the principal investigator the opportunity to learn about the theoretical basis of new information that will likely be resolved by the new generation of high resolution ESCA instruments. The project will benefit from the significant background and experience in heterogeneous catalysis of the principal investigator, as well as the recent interest by the Uppsala group in the application of high energy resolution ESCA to solid state problems, including catalysis.