BPI Seminar by Dr. Marcus Bäumer

TITLE: Unveiling the Secrets of Nanoporous Gold Catalysis

LOCATION: KAIS #2020 on the 2nd Floor of Fred Kaiser Building located at 2332 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

AGENDA

• 11:00am Intro by Prof. Johan Foster
• 11:05am Keynote Presentation by Prof. Marcus Bäumer, University of Bremen
• 11:50am Q&A

*Coffee & snacks will be provided

ABSTRACT

This talk delves into the fascinating world of nanoporous gold (npAu) and its potential as a versatile catalyst for various green energy and chemical production processes. Despite defying expectations by excelling in aerobic oxidation reactions in particular at low temperatures, npAu's true strength lies hidden in its composition and structure. The talk explores the crucial role of additional metals like Cu and Ag in influencing activity, selectivity, and long-term stability. Alcohol oxidation serves as a model reaction to unveil these secrets. Furthermore, the interplay between surface reaction and diffusive mass transport and its dependence on pore / ligament sizes is discussed. By tailoring these features and reverting to basic structural parameters, such as the tortuosity of the pore system, we gain deeper insights into their impact on the catalytic efficiency. The talk culminates in the creation of unique npAu structures with varying thicknesses, pore diameters, and compositions, ultimately paving the way for optimized npAu catalysts.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Since October 2002, Dr. Marcus Bäumer has served as a Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Bremen. He completed his Ph.D. at Ruhr University Bochum, followed by postdoctoral research at Stanford University, and later led the Deposited Particles Group at the Max Planck Society's Fritz Haber Institute. Dr. Bäumer, recognized with numerous awards and scholarships, is a member of the German Bunsen Society and the German Physical Society, reflecting his contributions to his field.