Catalysis

Email: 
zulissi@andrew.cmu.edu
Phone: 
412-268-9517
Office: 
Doherty Hall A207A
Websites: 
Ulissi Group | Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2015
Summary:

Our research work is focused on study of chemical, mechanical, electronic, and thermal properties of nano sized materials. At nano scales, entropic fluctuations become more prominent and materials behave differently. Our work is on capturing these effects in real devices and applications requires a range of modeling approaches, from hard theory (DFT and kinetics), to soft theory (continuum, statistical mechanics and molecular dynamics), and up through systems engineering approaches. There are various application to study such effect, including biomedical sensors (nanotube-based optical sensors)  and energy applications (CO2 to fuels, fuel cells, thermal catalysis). Following are our major projects:

  • Controlling selectivity of nanoscale interfaces with co-adsorbates and soft functionalizations
  • Machine-learning based approaches to accelerate materials screening
  • Bayesian methods for complex reaction mechanism reduction and elucidation
Most Cited Publications
  1. "Molecular recognition using corona phase complexes made of synthetic polymers adsorbed on carbon nanotubes," J. Zhang, M. P. Landry, P. W. Barone, J-H Kim, S. Lin, Z. W. Ulissi, D. Lin, B. Mu, A. A. Boghossian, A. J Hilmer, A. Rwei, A. C. Hinckley, S. Kruss, M. A Shandell, N. Nair, S. Blake, F. Şen, S. Şen, R. G. Croy, D. Li, K. Yum, J-H Ahn, H. Jin, D. A. Heller, J. M. Essigmann, D. Blankschtein, M. S. Strano, Nature Nanotechnology 8, 959 (2013)
  2. "Diameter-dependent ion transport through the interior of isolated single-walled carbon nanotubes," W. Choi, Z. W. Ulissi, S. FE Shimizu, D. O Bellisario, M. D. Ellison, M. S. Strano, Nature Communications 4, 2397 (2013)
  3. "To address surface reaction network complexity using scaling relations machine learning and DFT calculations," Z. W. Ulissi, A.J Medford, T. Bligaard, J. K Nørskov, Nature Communications 8,14621 (2017)
  4. "Modelling and development of photoelectrochemical reactor for H2 production'" C. Carver, Z. W. Ulissi, C. K. Ong, S. Dennison, G. H. Kelsall, K. Hellgardt, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 37, 2911 (2012)
  5. "Low dimensional carbon materials for applications in mass and energy transport," Q.Hua Wang, D. O. Bellisario, L. W. Drahushuk, R. M. Jain, S. Kruss, M. P. Landry, S. G. Mahajan, S. FE Shimizu, Z. W. Ulissi, M.S. Strano, Chem. Mater., 26, 72 (2014)
Recent Publications
  1. "Theoretical Investigations of Transition-Metal Surface Energies Under Lattice Strain and CO Environment," M. Tang, Z. W. Ulissi, K Chan, J. Phys. Chem. C 122, 14481 (2018)
  2. "Copper Silver Thin Films with Metastable Miscibility for Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis in Alkaline Electrolytes," D Higgins, M Wette, BM Gibbons, S Siahrostami, C Hahn, Marıa Escudero-Escribano, Max García-Melchor, Z. W. Ulissi, R. C. Davis, A. Mehta, B. M. Clemens, J. K. Nørskov, and T. F. Jaramillo, ACS Appl. Energy Mater.,1,1990 (2018)
  3. "Polarimetric accessory for colposcope," A. Gandjbakhche, V. Chernomordik, M. Hassan, A. Sviridov, Z. W. Ulissi, P. D. Smith, A. C. Boccara, US Patent 9,801,536
  4. "Machine-Learning Methods Enable Exhaustive Searches for Active Bimetallic Facets and Reveal Active Site Motifs for CO2 Reduction," Z. W. Ulissi, M. T. Tang, J. Xiao, X. Liu, D. A. Torelli, M. Karamad, K. Cummins, C. Hahn, N. S. Lewis, T. F. Jaramillo, K. Chan, and J. K. Nørskov, ACS Catal., 7, 6600 (2017)
  5. "To address surface reaction network complexity using scaling relations machine learning and DFT calculations," Z. W. Ulissi, A. J. Medford, T. Bligaard, J. K. Nørskov Nature communications 8, 14621 (2017)
Email: 
rongchao@andrew.cmu.edu
Phone: 
(412) 268-9448
Office: 
Mellon Institute 543
Websites: 
Rongchao Jin Lab | Department of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
Ph.D. Chemistry, Northwestern University, Illinois, 2003
Summary:

Our research focuses on fundamental science and engineering questions motivated by the creation of materials on the nanometer scale (1 nm=10-9 m). Our research themes include the synthesis, characterization, and applications of nanoparticles (typically 1-100 nm in size). We are developing chemical methods for synthesizing well defined nanoparticles, including atomically precise nanoclusters, shape- and size-controlled nanocrystals, hybrid nano-architectures, and inorganic/polymer nanocomposites. In-depth characterizations of the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles and self-assembled nanomaterials are carried out with microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, such as electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray crystallography, steady-state and ultrafast spectroscopies, etc. We also develop applications of nanoparticles in areas of catalysis, optics, chemo- and bio-sensing, and photovoltaics, etc.

Selected Publications: 
  1. “Correlating second harmonic optical responses of single Ag nanoparticles with morphology”, Jin, R.; Jureller, J.E.; Kim, H.Y.; Scherer, N.F. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 127, 12482 (2005).
  2. “Synthesis of open-ended, cylindrical Au-Ag alloy nanostructures on a Si/SiOx surface”, Zhang, H.; Jin, R.; Mirkin, C.A. Nano Lett., 4, 1493 (2004).
  3. “Thermally-induced formation of atomic Au clusters and conversion into nanocubes”, Jin, R.; Egusa, S.; Scherer, N.F. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 126, 9900 (2004).
  4. “Controlling anisotropic nanoparticle growth through plasmon excitation”, Jin, R.; Cao, Y.W.;  Hao, E.; Metraux, G.S.; Schatz, G.C.; Mirkin, C.A.; Nature, 425, 487 (2003).
  5. “Raman dye-labeled nanoparticle probes for proteins”, Cao, Y.C.; Jin, R.; Nam, J.M.; Thaxton, C.S.; Mirkin, C.A. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125, 14676 (2003).
Most Cited Publications
  1. "Photoinduced conversion of silver nanospheres to nanoprisms", R Jin, YW Cao, CA Mirkin, KL Kelly, GC Schatz, JG Zheng, science, 294, 1901 (2001).
  2. "Nanoparticles with Raman spectroscopic fingerprints for DNA and RNA detection", YWC Cao, R Jin, CA Mirkin, Science 297, 1536 (2002).
  3. "Controlling anisotropic nanoparticle growth through plasmon excitation", R Jin, YC Cao, E Hao, GS Métraux, GC Schatz, CA Mirkin, Nature 425, 487 (2003).
  4. "Correlating the crystal structure of a thiol-protected Au25 cluster and optical properties", M Zhu, CM Aikens, FJ Hollander, GC Schatz, R Jin, Journal of the American Chemical Society 130 , 5883 (2008).
  5. "What controls the melting properties of DNA-linked gold nanoparticle assemblies?", R Jin, G Wu, Z Li, CA Mirkin, GC Schatz, Journal of the American Chemical Society 125, 1643 (2003).
Recent Publications
  1. "Reversible Control of Chemoselectivity in Au38 (SR) 24 Nanocluster-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzaldehyde Derivatives." Zhao, Jianbo, Qi Li, Shengli Zhuang, Yongbo Song, David J. Morris, Meng Zhou, Zhikun Wu, Peng Zhang, and Rongchao Jin. The journal of physical chemistry letters (2018).
  2. "Sensitive X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure Analysis on the Bonding Properties of Au30 (SR) 18 Nanoclusters." Yang, Rui, David J. Morris, Tatsuya Higaki, Matthew J. Ward, Rongchao Jin, and Peng Zhang. ACS Omega 3, no. 11 (2018): 14981-14985.
  3. "Toward the Tailoring Chemistry of Metal Nanoclusters for Enhancing Functionalities." Higaki, Tatsuya, Qi Li, Meng Zhou, Shuo Zhao, Yingwei Li, Site Li, and Rongchao Jin. Accounts of chemical research (2018).
  4. "Remarkable effect of BaO on photocatalytic H2 evolution from water splitting via TiO2 (P25) supported palladium nanoparticles." Hussain, Ejaz, Imran Majeed, Muhammad Amtiaz Nadeem, Azhar Iqbal, Yuxiang Chen, Mohammad Choucair, Rongchao Jin, and Muhammad Arif Nadeem. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (2018).
  5. "Molecular-Scale Ligand Effects in Small Gold–Thiolate Nanoclusters." Chevrier, Daniel M., Lluís Raich, Carme Rovira, Anindita Das, Zhentao Luo, Qiaofeng Yao, Amares Chatt et al. Journal of the American Chemical Society 140, no. 45 (2018): 15430-15436.
  6. "A Correlated Series of Au/Ag Nanoclusters Revealing the Evolutionary Patterns of Asymmetric Ag Doping." Li, Yingwei, Tian-Yi Luo, Meng Zhou, Yongbo Song, Nathaniel L. Rosi, and Rongchao Jin. Journal of the American Chemical Society 140, no. 43 (2018): 14235-14243.

Computational Study of Ni-Catalyzed C−H Functionalization: Factors That Control the Competition of Oxidative Addition and Radical Pathways

  • By Aude Marjolin •
  • 2 August 2017

To guide the development of a more diverse set of Ni-catalyzed C−H bond functionalizations, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms, reactivity, and selectivity of these reactions is required. Peng Liu and his student Humair Omer have undertaken a computational study of the functionalization of the C−H bonds in molecules that contain the N,N-bidentate directing group with Ni catalyst and various coupling  partners, e.g. phenyl iodide (Ph−I), which has been published in the July 26, 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Featured
Quantum chemistry
Catalysis
Research

Giannis Mpourmpakis Lands Cover of Catalysis Science & Technology

  • By Aude Marjolin •
  • 31 May 2017

Research from Giannis Mpourmpakis' group was recently featured on the inside front cover of the Royal Society of Chemistry journal, Catalysis Science & Technology. The team’s investigations into a more energy-efficient catalytic process to produce olefins--the building blocks for polymer production--could impact potential applications in diverse technology areas from green energy and sustainable chemistry to materials engineering and catalysis. 
 

In the news
Catalysis
Research

Structure-Activity Relations in Heterogeneous Catalysis – A View from Computational Chemistry

Spring 2017
Seminar
Computational
Catalysis
Speaker(s): 
Phillipe Sautet
Dates: 
Friday, March 17, 2017 - 9:30am to 10:30am

The understanding of the catalytic properties of nanoparticle catalysts and the design of optimal composition and structures demands fast methods for the calculation of adsorption energies. By exploring the adsorption of O and OR (R=OH, OOH, OCH3) adsorbates on a large range of surface sites with 9 transition metals, we propose new structure sensitive scaling relations between the adsorption energy of two adsorbates that are valid for all metals and for all surface sites.1 This opens the way for a new class of activity volcano plots where the descriptor is not an energy...

In Silico Searches for Efficient Renewable Energy Catalysts Through Chemical Compound Space

Spring 2017
Seminar
Quantum chemistry
Catalysis
Speaker(s): 
John Keith
Dates: 
Friday, February 3, 2017 - 11:30am to 12:30pm

This talk will provide an overview of our group’s work using both standard and atypical high-performance computational chemistry modeling to elucidate atomic scale reaction mechanisms of catalytic reactions. I will introduce our toolkit of in silico methods for accurately modeling solvating environments and realistic nanoscale architectures. I will then present how these methods can be used for predictive insights into chemical and material design. The talk will then summarize our progress in unraveling reaction mechanisms for 1) electrochemical CO2 reduction with...

Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh
Ph.D., Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, University of Crete, 2006
Summary:

My research expertise is interdisciplinary, blending concepts and techniques from Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science and Chemical Engineering. I use theory and computation to investigate the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials with potential applications in diverse nanotechnological areas, ranging from energy generation and storage, to materials design, nanoparticle growth, magnetism, and catalysis.

In the Computer-Aided Nano and Energy Lab (C.A.N.E.LA.), led by Prof. Mpourmpakis, we use theory and computation to investigate the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials with potential applications in diverse nanotechnological areas, ranging from green energy generation and storage to materials engineering and catalysis. Our laboratory core expertise lies on "ab-initio" electronic-structure theoretical calculations. We develop structure-activity relationships and apply multiscale tools to elucidate complex chemical processes that take place on nanomaterials. Ultimately, we design novel nanostructures with increased, molecular-level precision and tailored multifunctionality. 

Most Cited Publications
  1. "SiC Nanotubes:  A Novel Material for Hydrogen Storage," Giannis Mpourmpakis and George E. Froudakis, George P. Lithoxoos and Jannis Samios, Nano Lett. 6, 1581 (2006)
  2. "Carbon Nanoscrolls:  A Promising Material for Hydrogen Storage," Giannis Mpourmpakis, Emmanuel Tylianakis, and George E. Froudakis, Nano Lett. 7, 1893 (2007)
  3. "Correlating Particle Size and Shape of Supported Ru/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts with NH3 Decomposition Activity," Ayman M. Karim, Vinay Prasad, Giannis Mpourmpakis, William W. Lonergan, Anatoly I. Frenkel, Jingguang G. Chen and Dionisios G. Vlachos, J. Am. Chem. Soc.131, 12230 (2009)
  4. "Why boron nitride nanotubes are preferable to carbon nanotubes for hydrogen storage?: An ab initio theoretical study," Giannis Mpourmpakis, George E. Froudakis, Catalysis Today 120, 341 (2007)
  5. "Mechanistic Study of Alcohol Dehydration on γ-Al2O" S Roy, G Mpourmpakis, DY Hong, DG Vlachos, A Bhan, RJ Gorte Acs Catalysis 2 (9), 1846-1853
Recent Publications
  1. "Understanding Alkane Dehydrogenation through Alcohol Dehydration on γ-Al2O3." Kostetskyy, Pavlo, Carly Nolan, Mudit Dixit, and Giannis Mpourmpakis. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (2018).
  2. "Structure Activity Relationships in Alkane Dehydrogenation on γ-Al2O3: Site-Dependent Reactions." Dixit, Mudit, Pavlo Kostetskyy, and Giannis Mpourmpakis. ACS Catalysis(2018).
  3. "Rethinking Heterometal Doping in Ligand-Protected Metal Nanoclusters." Taylor, Michael G., and Giannis Mpourmpakis. The journal of physical chemistry letters (2018).
  4. "Factors Differentiating the Effectiveness of Polyprotic Acids as Inhibitors of Calcium Oxalate Crystallization in Kidney Stone Disease," Jihae Chung, Michael G. Taylor, Ignacio Granja, John R. Asplin, Giannis Mpourmpakis, and Jeffrey D Rimer, Crystal Growth & Design (2018)
  5. "Influence of Atomic-Level Morphology on Catalysis: The Case of Sphere and Rod-Like Gold Nanoclusters for CO2 Electroreduction", Shuo Zhao, Natalie Austin, Mo Li, Yongbo Song, Stephen D. House, Stefan Bernhard, Judith C. Yang, Giannis Mpourmpakis, and Rongchao Jin, ACS Catal., 8, 4996 (2018).​​​​​​​

Oxide-metal Interfaces as Active Sites for Acid-base Catalysis: Oxidation State of Nanocatalyst Change with Decreasing Size, Conversion of Heterogeneous to Homogeneous Catalysis, Hybrid Systems

Covestro Lecture
Spring 2016
Catalysis
Speaker(s): 
Gábor A. Somorjai
Dates: 
Friday, May 6, 2016 - 9:30am to 10:30am

When metal nanoparticles are placed on different mezoporous or microporous oxide supports the catalytic turnover rates and selectivities markedly change.  The charge flow between the metal and the oxide ionizes the adsorbed molecules at the oxide-metal interfaces and alters the catalytic chemistry (acid-base catalysis). 

The oxidation state of metal nanoparticles becomes less metallic and assume higher oxidation states with decreasing size.  The...

Metal Nanocatalysts, Their Synthesis and Size Dependent Covalent Bond Catalysis: Instrumentation for Characterization under Reaction Conditions

Covestro Lecture
Spring 2016
Catalysis
Speaker(s): 
Gábor A. Somorjai
Dates: 
Thursday, May 5, 2016 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Colloidal chemistry is used to control the size, shape and composition of metal nanoparticles usually in the 1-10 nm range.  In-situ methods are used to characterize the size, structure (electronic and atomic), bonding, composition and oxidation states under reaction conditions.  These methods include sum frequency generation nonlinear optical spectroscopy (SFG), ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) and high pressure scanning tunneling...

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