Research

Our Approach to Catalysis Research

The mission of the Bates Research Group is to creatively combine the fundamentals of thermochemical, electrochemical, and molecular catalysis to discover transformative reactivity. In this pursuit, we develop synthesis–structure–function relationships through detailed kinetic studies of reaction mechanisms aided by well-controlled catalyst synthesis and advanced spectroscopic tools, which are enriched by collaborations with theorists. We apply our approach to seek fundamental principles that impact both current and future catalytic technologies.

Thermochemical and Electrochemical Catalysis

Redox reactions are ubiquitous in the energy and chemical industries and can be carried out using either thermochemical or electrochemical driving forces. We are intrigued by the mechanistic similarities and differences of thermochemical and electrochemical reactions, and by catalysts that can perform both.

Representative Publications

Designing Catalytic Microenvironments

Chemical interactions beyond the primary binding sites of catalysts can be critical for steering their reactivity and selectivity. We are working to understand, describe, and control these interactions that comprise the catalytic microenvironment.

Representative Publications

Molecular View of Active Centers

Defining the active centers of heterogeneous catalysts with molecular precision offers opportunities to expand the scope of their reactivity. We are using our expertise in zeolite and doped-carbon synthesis to explore how heterogeneous catalysts can parallel the reactivity of molecular catalysts.

Representative Publications

Impact and Applications of Catalysis Science

Our vision is to develop sustainable technologies to help humankind achieve global prosperity without harming the earth and its climate. This vision requires new sustainable routes to products that support modern society, and therefore innovations in catalysis. Most chemical processes occur in large centralized chemical plants and rely on carbon-intensive feedstocks for which there are centralized processing and supply-chain infrastructure. By contrast, carbon-neutral feedstocks required for sustainable processes such as biomass, air, and water are more spatially distributed, as are renewable energy resources like solar electricity. Thus, we envision a paradigm shift toward spatially distributed reactors that more effetively leverage renewable energy to drive reactions of carbon-neutral feeds. The sustainable energy transition that we envision thus requires catalysts that work in new and different ways from existing catalysts.