Heterogeneous catalysts have already been applied for many industrial reactions. Yet, understanding of reactivity of the catalyst components prefers to have further controlled synthesis to have known active sites. For example, the metal clusters with possibly multiple components should be formed in uniform and well-defined size and shape with narrow-size distribution. Reaction mechanism and site requirements for such catalyst surfaces are studied using rigorous kinetic analyses including isotope studies. Highly active and durable catalysts are designed at a molecular level to regulate reaction pathway for improved selectivity.

 

   Advanced preparation of the heterogeneous catalysts is explored to provide additional functionality to the conventional ones. Nanomembrane coatings on metal nanoclusters are effective not only to prolong the catalyst durability by avoiding sintering at high temperatures, but also to enhance the product selectivity by molecular sieving.