Catalysis: Fundamentals and Applications for the Environment and the Circular Economy
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to establish a fundamental understanding of chemical transformations driven by homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, as well as biological catalysts (enzymes). To achieve this, theoretical concepts of catalysis will be presented alongside real-world examples of significant catalytic processes in environmental protection and industrial chemistry for a sustainable economy.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will be able to acquire kinetic and molecular knowledge on the reactive processes that occur in the presence of "third elements" (homogeneous, enzymatic and heterogeneous catalysts) that increase the reaction rate and improve the selectivity of the reactive processes. These concepts will be useful for tackling the critical design of catalysts for chemical industrial processes.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part A:
Introduction to Catalysis; Chemical Reactivity: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Aspects; Potential Energy Surfaces. Industrial Catalysis and Performance Indicators. Homogeneous catalysis. Acid/base catalysis with applications. Enzymatic catalysis. Immobilization of Homogeneous and Enzymatic Catalysts. Chemical Surface and Surface Reactivity. Adsorption and Adsorption Isotherms. Heterogeneous Catalysis and applications. Nanocatalysis.
Part B:
Fundamentals of electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. Application of their principles within different catalytic processes, particularly those relevant to sustainable chemistry, fuel production, energy storage and the efficient use of energy (e.g., production of "green" hydrogen, carbon dioxide capture and conversion and removal of pollutants with state-of-the-art technologies). Chemical and physical aspects of catalyst preparation. Chemical and physical techniques related to the characterization of catalytic materials including transient spectroscopy for the study of fast dynamics in photo-active semiconductors or surface techniques at the atomic scale and to track, operando, catalytic processes.
Introduction to Catalysis; Chemical Reactivity: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Aspects; Potential Energy Surfaces. Industrial Catalysis and Performance Indicators. Homogeneous catalysis. Acid/base catalysis with applications. Enzymatic catalysis. Immobilization of Homogeneous and Enzymatic Catalysts. Chemical Surface and Surface Reactivity. Adsorption and Adsorption Isotherms. Heterogeneous Catalysis and applications. Nanocatalysis.
Part B:
Fundamentals of electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. Application of their principles within different catalytic processes, particularly those relevant to sustainable chemistry, fuel production, energy storage and the efficient use of energy (e.g., production of "green" hydrogen, carbon dioxide capture and conversion and removal of pollutants with state-of-the-art technologies). Chemical and physical aspects of catalyst preparation. Chemical and physical techniques related to the characterization of catalytic materials including transient spectroscopy for the study of fast dynamics in photo-active semiconductors or surface techniques at the atomic scale and to track, operando, catalytic processes.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of chemical kinetics, physical chemistry, basic inorganic chemistry, and basic organic chemistry
Teaching methods
Teaching will take place through lectures aimed at providing knowledge tools and solving issues related to the problems of chemical reactivity and catalyst design.
Teaching Resources
Some textbooks are suggested for consultation. All textbooks are available to students through the Minerva platform.
Part A:
Catalysis. Concepts and Green Applications, G. Rothenberg, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2008 (ISBN: 978-3-527-31824-7)
Catalytic Chemistry, Bruce C. Gates, John Wiley & Sons, New York 1992 (ISBN:0-471-55914-8)
Catalysis - An Integrated Textbook for Students, U. Hanefeld, L. Lefferts, Wiley-VCH.
Molecular heterogeneous catalysis : a conceptual and computational approach Santen, R. A. van (Rutger A.), author.; Neurock, Matthew, author. 2006
Nanoparticles and catalysis, Astruc, D. (Didier), editor. 2008
Environmental catalysis Knözinger, H. Contributor; Weitkamp, J. Contributor; Ertl, G. Contributor; Knözinger, H. Contributor 1999
Part B:
Semiconductor photocatalysis: principles and applications Kisch, H., Editor: Wiley, 2015
Electrochemical methods: fundamentals and applications Bard, A. J., Faulkner L. R., White H. S., Editor: Wiley 2022
Additional textbooks and scientific publications will be suggested by the teachers at the end of each session, with specific reference to the topics covered.
Supplementary material useful for the study could be periodically provided by the teachers in the form of slides-handbooks.
Part A:
Catalysis. Concepts and Green Applications, G. Rothenberg, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2008 (ISBN: 978-3-527-31824-7)
Catalytic Chemistry, Bruce C. Gates, John Wiley & Sons, New York 1992 (ISBN:0-471-55914-8)
Catalysis - An Integrated Textbook for Students, U. Hanefeld, L. Lefferts, Wiley-VCH.
Molecular heterogeneous catalysis : a conceptual and computational approach Santen, R. A. van (Rutger A.), author.; Neurock, Matthew, author. 2006
Nanoparticles and catalysis, Astruc, D. (Didier), editor. 2008
Environmental catalysis Knözinger, H. Contributor; Weitkamp, J. Contributor; Ertl, G. Contributor; Knözinger, H. Contributor 1999
Part B:
Semiconductor photocatalysis: principles and applications Kisch, H., Editor: Wiley, 2015
Electrochemical methods: fundamentals and applications Bard, A. J., Faulkner L. R., White H. S., Editor: Wiley 2022
Additional textbooks and scientific publications will be suggested by the teachers at the end of each session, with specific reference to the topics covered.
Supplementary material useful for the study could be periodically provided by the teachers in the form of slides-handbooks.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Part A
Students' learning will be assessed through:
a) A mid-term exam will take place at the end of the Module's lessons, approximately in mid-November. The exam will consist of three parts: discussion of a chosen topic (maximum one protocol sheet) - 15 points; solution of a numerical problem - 5 points; multiple-choice questions - 10 points.
or
b) An oral examination consisting in a discussion on a topic selected by the board of examiners from those covered in the part A.
Part B
The knowledge acquired during this part of the course will be evaluated through an oral presentation of a written report focused on a scientific article taken from recent international literature. The article will be selected by the students and will concern the contents of the module. At the end of the presentation, a discussion will follow with reference to topics of the course program.
Each half of the examination will have equal weight in the final score, contributing to a total score out of thirty. Evaluation parameters include argumentation ability; critical reasoning and thoughtful interpretation of course concepts; clarity, coherence, and depth of presentation; proficiency in utilizing specialized terminology relevant to the subject matter; ability to integrate knowledge and approaches from multiple disciplines when addressing the complex catalyst design.
Students' learning will be assessed through:
a) A mid-term exam will take place at the end of the Module's lessons, approximately in mid-November. The exam will consist of three parts: discussion of a chosen topic (maximum one protocol sheet) - 15 points; solution of a numerical problem - 5 points; multiple-choice questions - 10 points.
or
b) An oral examination consisting in a discussion on a topic selected by the board of examiners from those covered in the part A.
Part B
The knowledge acquired during this part of the course will be evaluated through an oral presentation of a written report focused on a scientific article taken from recent international literature. The article will be selected by the students and will concern the contents of the module. At the end of the presentation, a discussion will follow with reference to topics of the course program.
Each half of the examination will have equal weight in the final score, contributing to a total score out of thirty. Evaluation parameters include argumentation ability; critical reasoning and thoughtful interpretation of course concepts; clarity, coherence, and depth of presentation; proficiency in utilizing specialized terminology relevant to the subject matter; ability to integrate knowledge and approaches from multiple disciplines when addressing the complex catalyst design.
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Campisi Sebastiano, Grigioni Ivan
Professor(s)
Reception:
Please send a request by email
Chemistry Dept. Ground Floor, Sector B, Room R33S, Via Golgi, 19, 20133, Milano, Italy
Reception:
All working days upon appointment
Chemistry Department, ground floow, wing B, office number R28