D1) Knowledge and understanding: The student must possess the knowledge of the heterogeneous catalysis. D2) Applying knowledge and understanding: The student must be able to use the fundamental knowledge of heterogeneous catalysis to understand and interpret the most important processes related with chemical industry, environmental protection and energy production. D3) Making judgements: The student must be autonomous and able to interpret the basic information related with the working mechanism of heterogeneous catalysts. D4) Communication skills: The student must possess the scientific language that allow him to properly discus, with both experts and non-experts, about the chemical behavior of heterogeneous catalysts and photocatalysts. D5) Learning skills: The student must have acquired a scientific approach to heterogeneous catalysis, with the competences needed to autonomously understand the industrial processes presented during the lessons and the scientific papers they will find in future studies.

General chemistry Coordination chemistry Structure and electronic properties of solids Instrumental techniques for materials characterization

Introduction: adsorption of small molecules on surfaces, kinetics in heterogeneous catalysis. Fundamental catalytic processes: relevant industrial processes using heterogeneous catalysts Catalysis for environmental control and remediation Catalysis for hydrogen production and purification. Photocatalysis: application of semiconductors to pollutant abatement and H2 production. Laboratory: representative experiments with heterogeneous catalysts

J.M.Thomas and W.J.Thomas: Principles and Practive of heterogeneous catalysis, Wiley-VCH, 2nd edition

Introduction to heterogeneous catalysts: adsorption of small molecules on surfaces of metals and oxides. Structural and functional characterization of catalysts. Activity, selectivity and stability. Fundamental catalytic processes: synthesis of ammonia and methanol, water gas shift reaction, Fisher-Tropsch process. Environmental catalysis: car converters, DeNOx catalysts, abatement of CH4 and VOCs Catalysts for hydrogen production and purification. Photocatalysis: application of semiconductors to pollutant abatement and H2 production. Laboratory: test of catalysts for the reaction of CH4 combustion, photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and photocatalytic H2 production.

Classroom teaching Use of power point presentations

All the power point presentations are available on Moodle platform.

The evaluation of this course will require the preparation of an experimental report regarding the activities performed in the laboratory classes, with the analysis of acquired data and discussion of the results in the context of heterogeneous catalysis. The final examination will consist of an oral exam aimed to demonstrate the achievement of the teaching objectives. That will focus on the topics presented during the course both the following points: 1. Presentation of a scientific paper or of a specific topic chosen by the student; 2. Question by the teacher regarding a topic different from the previous one. Questions will aim at verifying the level of knowledge of the topics, the level of mastery of technical language and the ability to develop reasoning by applying theoretical knowledge to the experimental data presented. The final evaluation is formulated according to the following grid: Excellent (30 - 30 with honors): excellent knowledge of the subject, excellent command of language, the student shows excellent ability to apply the basic knowledge acquired during the lessons for interpretation of the experimental results. Very good (27 - 29): good knowledge of the topics, notable command of language; the student is able to correctly apply the basic knowledge acquired during the lessons for interpretation of the experimental results. Good (24-26): good knowledge of the topics, fair command of language; the student shows an adequate ability to apply the basic knowledge acquired during the lessons for interpretation of the experimental results. Satisfactory (21-23): the student does not show full mastery of the subject, although he/she has basic understanding of the topics; however, he/she shows sufficient command of language and sufficient ability to apply the principles acquired during the lessons for interpretation of the experimental results. Sufficient (18-20): minimal knowledge of the subject and minimal use of technical language, limited ability to adequately apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during the lessons for interpretation of the experimental results. Insufficient: the student does not possess an acceptable knowledge of the subject.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs): 6, 7, 12, 13.