(3bf) Kinetic, Spectroscopic, and Theoretical Approaches to Developing Structure-Function Relations for Heterogeneous Catalysts

Heterogeneous catalysis is central to the development of more sustainable processes for producing bulk and commodity chemicals (e.g., via closed-carbon cycles using sustainable carbon sources). Developing structure-function relationships by understanding the mechanisms and chemical origins underlying reactions is crucial to designing efficacious catalysts with high reactivity and selectivity to desired products, irrespective of the specific reaction or catalyst. The theme unifying my research interests is detailed mechanistic investigations that combine synthesis of well-defined materials, characterization of material properties and active structures, kinetic and isotopic studies, theoretical and computational methods, and in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques.

My dissertation work with Professor Enrique Iglesia at the University of California, Berkeley focused on understanding mechanisms of alkane isomerization and β-scission on bifunctional metal-acid catalysts. I used kinetic, spectroscopic, and computational techniques and developed reaction-transport formalisms, necessary to dissect the ubiquitous and unavoidable consequences of diffusion on reaction rates and selectivities, to establish structure-function relations for mesoporous and microporous solid acid catalysts (zeolites and zeotypes). My work was considered exceptionally thorough and was the subject of a Perspective in the Journal of Catalysis within a year of publication (S.P. Crossley, D.E. Resasco, G.L. Haller, J. Catal. 372 (2019) 382-387 doi: 10.1016/j.jcat.2019.03.010).

My postdoctoral research focused on the synthesis of organometallic complexes and their use as well-defined catalysts via the surface organometallic chemistry approach. I rationally designed, synthesized, and characterized supports containing isolated single sites of varying Lewis acid strength or of alloy-forming metals, onto which Cu nanoparticles were then dispersed. The catalytic performance of these materials was investigated for CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol, and their reactivity and selectivity were rationalized using in situ/operando spectroscopy, as well as using ex situ nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements to examine identities of surface species.

My independent research group will focus on developing catalysts for atom-efficient chemical transformations using the framework of spectroscopic, kinetic, and theoretical assessment, taken together with advanced synthesis methods. We aim to facilitate a circular (bio)economy and to enable the global energy transition.

Postdoctoral research projects (Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christophe Copéret, Inorganic Chemistry, ETH Zurich)

Surface organometallic chemistry approaches to synthesize alloyed catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol;

Synthesis of Cu nanoparticles supported on tailored Lewis acid site supports for selective CO₂ hydrogenation;

Examining chemical differences between isolated Ti sites and TiO₂ oxides

PhD dissertation (Under the supervision of Prof. Enrique Iglesia, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley)

Catalytic consequences of metal-acid site proximity, acid strength, and confinement on bifunctional transformations of alkanes

Teaching Interests

The opportunities to teach and to mentor have been a significant driving force in my pursuit of an academic career. I am prepared to teach any of the core classes in chemical engineering (kinetics, transport, or thermodynamics) as a result of my expertise in catalysis, which lies at the intersection of these. My specific teaching interests are transport processes, kinetics/reactor engineering, and electives in catalysis and/or solid state materials characterization. My teaching philosophy and methods combine insights from pedagogical research with first-principles problem-solving to promote curiosity and to assess student learning. I was a graduate student instructor for three upper-division undergraduate core chemical engineering courses (Introduction to Chemical Process Analysis; Transport and Separations Processes; Transport Processes) at UC Berkeley. I was awarded the Best Graduate Student Instructor Award for Transport Processes. I was selected to be a Summer Institute for Preparing Future Faculty Fellow at UC Berkeley, where I designed the curriculum for a chemical engineering elective focused on heterogeneous catalysis. I have also been a research mentor for an undergraduate researcher and for a number of junior PhD students.