IISER MOHALI

Abstract: Catalysis plays a pivotal role in modern chemistry by accelerating chemical reactions without being consumed, thereby improving reaction efficiency, selectivity, and energy utilization. Since catalytic processes occur predominantly at the surface of solid catalysts, understanding surface-sensitive reactions is fundamental to designing high-performance catalytic materials. Surface-sensitive reactions involve the adsorption, activation, transformation, and desorption of reactant molecules on the catalyst surface, where the atomic arrangement, electronic structure, surface defects, and active sites dictate the reaction pathway and kinetics. Advanced surface characterization techniques such as X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Low-Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) have significantly enhanced our understanding of catalyst surfaces under reaction conditions. These techniques provide insights into composition, oxide intermediates, and structures. Surface-sensitive studies are crucial in diverse applications, including heterogeneous catalysis, environmental remediation, energy conversion, hydrogen production, fuel cells, chemical synthesis and nanotechnology, This work highlights the fundamental principles of catalysis and emphasizes the importance of surface-sensitive reactions in elucidating reaction mechanisms and developing next-generation catalytic systems for sustainable industrial and environmental applications.

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