First-principles theoretical study of CO₂ hydrogenation on Cu surfaces

Authors

Yoshitada Morikawa ⋅ JP Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University

Abstract

First-principles molecular dynamics method is a quite powerful tool to elucidate and design chemical reactions at surfaces, interfaces and in solutions at the atomic level. In this talk, I will introduce recent studies in our group. The first one is on the activation and hydrogenation of CO₂ over Cu catalyst [1--4]. Adsorption and reaction of CO₂ on solid surfaces are attracting enormous interest because of their importance in industrial, energy and environmental management. To clarify reaction mechanisms and to identify important factors governing the reactivity of CO₂ on solid surfaces are very important to develop more efficient catalysts or catalytic processes for utilization of CO₂. To this end, we investigated CO₂ adsorption, dissociation, and hydrogenation processes on Cu surfaces using van der Waals density functionals as implemented in our home made STATE (Simulation Tool for Atom TEchnology) program code [5]. We theoretically proposed and experimentally verified vibrationally enhanced hydrogenation process of CO₂ on Cu. As the second topic, I will discuss on the promotion mechanism of GaN single crystal growth in the Na flux method. The Na flux method is one of very promising techniques to grow large GaN single crystals with high quality. We have carried out first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. We also clarified the mechanism of suppression of poly-crystal growth and promotion of single crystal growth by C additives. Finally, we will discuss the enhancement of NO dissociation by hydrogen bonding on Cu surfaces, which is attracting enormous attention because of its importance in automobile emission control. We will discuss the origin for the weakening of N–O bond by hydrogen bonding.

About the Speaker

Yoshitada Morikawa, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University

Yoshitada Morikawa is a professor and chair of Quantum Engineering Design Course in Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University. He is a fellow of the Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science. He received his B.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry from Kyoto University in 1989 and his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Tokyo in 1994. After working as a postdoc in Kyoto University, he became a senior research scientist in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba. In 2004 he became associate professor at the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (ISIR) of Osaka University, five years later full professor at Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University. His research interests include the development of first-principles simulations and theoretical elucidation and design of chemical reactions at surfaces and interfaces.

Downloads

Issue

2020: Proceedings of the 38th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Article ID

SPP-2020-INV-4F-02

Section

Invited Presentations

Published

2020-10-19

How to Cite

[1]

Y Morikawa, First-principles theoretical study of CO2 hydrogenation on Cu surfaces, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 38, SPP-2020-INV-4F-02 (2020). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2020-INV-4F-02.