Dr. Theofanis Kitsopoulos co-authored this groundbreaking study, published in Science, which reveals the intricate dynamics of hydrogen oxidation on palladium surfaces. Velocity-resolved kinetics measurements uncovered the critical role of cooperative binding, where at least three oxygen atoms at step sites create an active configuration. The research demonstrates a complex dependence on oxygen coverage and step density, providing transformative insights into catalytic processes at the atomic level.
Title: "Cooperative Oxygen Binding Enhances Hydrogen Oxidation on Palladium"
In this study, co-authored by Dr. Theofanis Kitsopoulos and published in JACS, researchers determined thermal rate constants for hydrogen adsorption and desorption on copper surfaces over a wide temperature range (200–1000 K). The findings overturn conventional understanding by highlighting the predominant role of quantum tunneling, even at temperatures as high as 400 K. The study provides precise reaction barrier and adsorption energy values and demonstrates the accuracy of a first-principles quantum rate theory, paving the way for the discovery of more efficient catalysts through advanced computational methods.
Title: "Quantum Tunneling in Hydrogen Adsorption and Desorption on Cu(111)"