The 1st class Natural Science award of Liaoning Province

Fundamentals on “Confinement theory in the interfacial and nano catalysis” was recently granted the 1st class Natural Science award of Liaoning Province, 2009. This is to award the achievements our group has made in the field along the years. This includes the concept of modulating the catalytic performance via the subsurface structure of the catalyst, which is extended to a new concept of ‘interfacial confinement’. In more detail, it is based on the findings about the reconstruction of Ag (111) surface, the formation of subsurface oxygen species and their properties. In particular, the structure and electronic properties of subsurface influence catalysis, e.g. selective oxidation of hydrocarbons. We further extend the confinement concept to carbon nanotubes-a synergetic confinement effect of carbon nanotube and encapsulated nanoparticles in catalysis. It is found that the physiochemical properties of nanoparticles confined inside the carbon nanotube channels can be modulated and hence their catalytic properties. For example, carbon nanotube-confined rhodium and manganese based catalyst enhances direct synthesis of C2-oxygenates from syngas.