1 Haziran 2024
Vahide Nuran Mutlu
Dr.
SOCAR, Process Development Supervisor
Lecture Title
Catalysis at Scale: Bridging Academic Research and Industrial Reality
Lecture Abstract
Catalysis research often begins under well-controlled laboratory conditions, yet its true value is realized only when translated into complex industrial environments. This talk explores the journey from academic catalysis research to real-world applications in refining and petrochemicals, highlighting how scale, feedstock variability, operational constraints, and economic drivers reshape catalyst design and performance expectations.
Drawing on industrial R&D experience, the presentation will illustrate how fundamental principles are adapted, and sometimes challenged, when moving from ideal systems to practical processes. Key differences between academic and industrial research mindsets will be discussed, including problem definition, success criteria, timelines, and impact.
The talk aims to provide graduate researchers with a clearer perspective on how their work can create tangible value, and what it means to operate as a catalysis researcher in an industrial setting.
Home Page
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vahide-nuran-mutlu-phd-397061264/
Büşra Dereli
Assist. Prof. Dr.
Koç University, Department of Chemistry
Lecture Title
First-Principles Computational Catalysis: From Electronic Structure to Predictive Models
Lecture Abstract
Computational catalysis provides a powerful framework for elucidating the fundamental factors that govern catalytic activity and selectivity at the molecular level. In this lecture, we focus on first-principles electronic structure methods as a central tool for investigating catalytic processes and reaction mechanisms.
Using density functional theory, we analyze the geometric and electronic properties of catalytic active sites and determine reaction pathways, activation barriers, and thermodynamic trends. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying key descriptors that control reactivity and selectivity, enabling the rationalization of experimental observations and guiding catalyst design.
We further discuss how data-driven approaches and machine learning techniques can complement electronic structure calculations by accelerating the exploration of chemical space and establishing predictive relationships between structure and performance.
Overall, this lecture highlights how electronic structure theory, combined with modern data-driven strategies, enables a deeper understanding of catalytic phenomena and supports the rational development of next-generation catalysts for energy and chemical transformations.
Home Page
https://gsse.ku.edu.tr/programlar/kimya/akademik-kadro/?detail=true&id=bdereli
Emanuele Moioli
Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Politecnico di Milano, Italy and Paul Scherrer Institute
Lecture Title
How to combine catalysis and chemical reaction engineering in one single discipline and why could this foster your career in research?
Lecture Abstract
In my talk, I will show some selected examples in the development of new materials, catalysts and chemical reactors for the implementation of carbon neutral processes for the production of raw materials.
I will show how reactor design consideration addressed the catalyst development for CO2 methanation and how the new catalysts developed were implemented in new reactor concepts, to yield extremely efficient chemical processes for the conversion of renewable energy. Additionally, I will address the same concept for the synthesis of methanol, showing how a through techno-economic analysis identified a new space for material development, which is connected to the sorption-enhanced methanol synthesis. in this case, I will show how the selection of a convenient match catalyst-adsorbent is an essential cornerstone in reactor design and how this choice influences the development at the chemical process level.
In the second part of the talk, I will show the large impact this interdisciplinary approach had in the development of my research career and how this put me in contact with academic and industrial partners, as well as with research network. I will highlight how networks like the young European catalysis network (YEuCat) are essential for the career development of young scientists and how they can help in selecting the appropriate career steps for each individual.
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Franck Dumeignil
Prof. Dr.
Lille University, Dept. of Chemistry
Lecture Title
Fundamental Concepts in Heterogeneous Catalysis
Lecture Abstract
This lecture provides an overview of heterogeneous catalysis, focusing on its core principles, mechanisms, and applications. The session begins by exploring the multiscale nature of catalysis, from the molecular level (e.g., active sites, adsorption, and surface reactions) to the macroscopic level (e.g., reactor design and industrial processes).
Key topics—such as the difference between chemisorption and physisorption, the role of catalyst characterization techniques (including spectroscopy and BET analysis), and the basics of reaction kinetics (e.g., Langmuir-Hinshelwood and Eley-Rideal models)—will be presented. Meanwhile, catalyst synthesis methods (e.g., impregnation, sol-gel processes) and challenges like deactivation and regeneration will be briefly addressed.
The lecture will also touch upon the use of computational tools like DFT and the integration of catalysis in sustainable processes, such as biorefineries. We will also discuss frequent pitfalls in catalysis—such as neglecting mass transfer limitations—so students can anticipate and prevent them in their own practical work.
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Ersen Mete
Prof. Dr.
Balıkesir University, Department of Physics
Lecture Title
A brief introduction to DFT and some examples in surface modeling
Lecture Abstract
In this talk, the fundamental concepts underlying DFT will be briefly introduced, followed by a discussion of plane-wave–based supercell approaches commonly employed in simulations of solid-state systems.
Practical computational examples will be used to illustrate the application of these methods to bulk materials, surfaces, and molecular adsorption on surfaces. These case studies will highlight both the capabilities and limitations of first-principles calculations in describing structural, electronic, and energetic properties. Particular emphasis will be placed on the importance of careful testing and validation—such as convergence checks, choice of exchange–correlation functionals, and comparison with experimental or higher-level theoretical data—to ensure reliable and physically meaningful results. The talk aims to provide both a conceptual introduction and practical guidance for performing DFT simulations in materials science.
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Niyazi Alper Tapan
Prof. Dr.
Gazi University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
Home Page
https://avesis.gazi.edu.tr/atapan
Mustafa Yasin Aslan
Dr.
Uşak University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
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Ramazan Yıldırım
Prof. Dr.
Boğaziçi University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
Lecture Title
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Catalytic Reaction Systems
Lecture Abstract
The use of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in all research fields, including catalysis, have been increased significantly in recent years as the result of astonishing increase of the size and complexity of experimental and computational data as well as the developments in data storage, retrieval and processing technologies, including ML/AI tools. ML/AI can offer great opportunities for the design and development of new and more effective catalysts by contributing to the efforts in all four main stages of catalytic processes: (1) screening of catalyst alternatives and discovery of new catalyst formulations, (2) optimizing the new catalyst formulations and determining suitable process conditions through characterization and performance tests, (3) catalytic reactor design and simulation and (4) monitoring, control and optimization of catalytic processes. The use of ML/AI tools in catalysis is expected to grow more in future with the further increase of data generation and processing capabilities; emerging strategies such as physics-informed ML, hybrid frameworks, and generative AI will likely be utilized more to overcome data scarcity, interpretability, and scalability challenges. In this presentation, the basic principles and tools of ML/AI will be summarized, and implementation of these tools in catalytic reaction systems will be discussed with some representative examples.
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Alper Uzun
Prof. Dr.
Koç University, Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Lecture Title
Measuring Catalytic Performance Reliably in Flow Reactors
Lecture Abstract
Understanding catalytic performance is essential for connecting catalyst structure with activity and selectivity. This lecture presents key strategies for performing kinetic studies in flow reactors, emphasizing controlled reaction conditions, minimizing heat and mass transport limitations, and obtaining reproducible results at low conversions. Practical guidance on catalyst dilution, reactor configuration, and accurate active site characterization is provided to enable reliable interpretation of data. Topics such as turnover frequency, thermodynamic constraints, and the importance of isothermal operation are highlighted to facilitate meaningful structure–activity correlations. Designed as an interactive guide, this lecture equips early-career researchers with insights to implement rigorous and reproducible protocols in flow reactor experiments.
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Nataša Novak Tušar
Prof. Dr.
National Institute of Chemistry, Dept. of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology
University of Nova Gorica
Lecture Title
Potential of photocatalysts in heterogeneous systems for the remediation of organic pollutants in water
Lecture Abstract
A review of the literature on photocatalysis shows that, over the past 10 years, there has been a steady flow of more than 1,300 international patents per year for various applications, mainly in the fields of pollution remediation, green chemical synthesis, and solar energy conversion. Pollution remediation, including the removal of organic pollutants from water, is the focus of this lecture.
In recent decades, contamination of water by organic contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) has become an increasingly serious environmental issue. Among the treatment technologies developed to address this problem, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have attracted considerable attention. AOPs rely on the formation of highly reactive oxygen species that non-selectively oxidise organic pollutants, ultimately converting them into harmless end products such as H₂O, CO₂, and inorganic salts. One of the most widely studied AOPs is the Fenton reaction, which uses iron salts (the Fenton reagent) as homogeneous catalysts in combination with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidising agent. This process is well known for its high efficiency, environmental compatibility, and relatively low cost. However, conventional Fenton systems have notable disadvantages, including the need for strongly acidic conditions (optimal pH 2.8–3.5), the generation of large amounts of iron-containing sludge, and additional treatment steps to remove excess dissolved iron from the effluent. To address these challenges, alternative Fenton-like systems operating at near-neutral pH and based on heterogeneous catalysts have been proposed. In addition, the photo-Fenton strategy offers further potential by integrating photocatalytic processes, in which hydroxyl radicals (•OH) are generated through above-bandgap excitation of suitable photocatalysts.
In this lecture, we show that by carefully controlling photocatalyst morphology and optimising metal loading through appropriate synthesis methods, it is possible to develop efficient heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like systems. These tailored photocatalysts effectively degrade bisphenol A and coumarin as representative CECs, with coumarin also serving as a probe molecule for detecting •OH radicals.
Zehra Taşkın
Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Hacettepe University, Dept. of Information and Records Management
Lecture Title
TBA
Lecture Abstract
TBA
Christian Reece
Dr.
Harvard University, Dept. of Chemistry
Lecture Title
Resolving Structure Function Relationships using Kinetics and Spectroscopy
Lecture Abstract
The rate of a surface-mediated reaction is set by the local atomic and electronic environment of the active site. In practice, this creates a bottleneck for catalyst design: over supported nanoparticle catalysts the surface is dynamic under reaction conditions, and conventional kinetic and spectroscopic measurements often lack the specificity needed to assign a measured rate to a particular site or state. Herein we show how transient kinetic and spectroscopic measurements can be used to infer catalyst state and assign catalytic pathways to distinct binding environments on “real-world” supported nanoparticles. Rather than treating a nanoparticle catalyst as an ensemble of static, perfectly structured surfaces, we frame structure in terms of active sites defined by local coordination environments and transient motifs that evolve with coverage and reaction history. This approach treats kinetics as a quantitative, site-sensitive probe, and spectroscopy as the constraint that anchors kinetic assignments to physical adsorption environments, enabling structure–function relationships that remain meaningful even when the catalyst is dynamically changing.
Home Page
https://friend-lab.faculty.chemistry.harvard.edu/people/christian-reece
Dmitry Murzin
Prof. Dr.
Abo Akademi, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Lecture Title
Nanokinetics in heterogeneous catalysis: beyond the classical approaches.
Lecture Abstract
An overview of the recent developments of heterogeneous catalytic kinetic concepts will be presented. An emphasis will be put on application of mechanistically sound models, which are needed as a part of understanding of catalytic reactions on a molecular level as well as for design and intensification of chemical processes. Such models should include among other parameters the size and geometry of reacting molecules, the size of the pores and nanoclusters.
David Kubička
Prof. Dr.
University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague
Lecture Title
Catalysis: A Cornerstone of Sustainable Development
Lecture Abstract
The importance of catalysis for current industrial chemical technologies will be demonstrated using selected examples of industrial processes from a historical perspective. The improvement or adaptation of existing industrial catalysts will be discussed alongside the design and development of catalysts for emerging applications, such as biomass transformations.
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Andrzej Kotarba
Prof. Dr.
Jagiellonian University in Krakov, Chemistry Dpt.
Lecture Title
Beyond Conventional Routes in Catalyst Development: Turning Weaknesses into Strengths
Lecture Abstract
Catalyst development is often driven by the effort to eliminate imperfections such as unstable promoters, structural disorder or unwanted surface species. Yet many advances emerge when such “weaknesses” are reconsidered rather than removed. This lecture explores how limitations encountered in catalyst studies can become opportunities for new concepts, experimental tools and fabrication strategies.
Several examples from research on heterogeneous catalysts will illustrate this perspective. Alkali promoters on transition-metal oxides, typically considered highly mobile and difficult to control, were reinterpreted as sensitive probes of surface state. To study their behavior, a Species-Resolved Thermal Alkali Desorption (SR-TAD) method was developed and combined with work-function measurements and DFT modelling, enabling real-time insight into alkali diffusion, segregation and desorption. In multicomponent oxide catalysts, structural modifications that suppress conventional active sites were exploited to generate interfacial environments capable of stabilizing active nanoparticles, improving dispersion and thermal stability. A further example involves bio-assisted catalyst fabrication, where non-pathogenic bacteria serve as carriers for nanoparticle deposition on structured supports, providing a scalable route to controlled catalyst architectures.
Together, these case studies highlight a broader lesson for catalyst research: instability, heterogeneity and even biological “contaminants” can be transformed into useful tools when approached creatively. Beyond presenting specific results, the lecture will reflect on how such ideas emerge in practice and what methodological insights they offer to researchers working in catalyst design. The lecture builds on research recognized with the EFCATS François Gault Lectureship Award, presented at EuropaCat 2025 in Trondheim.
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Sarp Kaya
Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Koç University, Chemistry Dpt.
Lecture Title
Fundamentals of Electrode Kinetics
Lecture Abstract
This lecture introduces the fundamental concepts of electrode kinetics, including activation barriers, exchange current density, overpotential, and the interplay between thermodynamics and reaction rates. Using reactions such as hydrogen and oxygen evolution, oxygen reduction, and small-molecule electroreduction as illustrative examples, we will examine how reaction mechanisms, surface structure, and electrolyte environment influence kinetic behavior.
Home Page
https://science.ku.edu.tr/en/programs/chemistry/faculty/?detail=true&id=sarpkaya
Cansu Kaya
Springer Nature
Lecture Title
How to write effective manuscripts and use AI tools responsibly in publishing
Lecture Abstract
How to Write Effective Manuscripts and Use AI Tools Responsibly in Publishing,” will offer practical guidance on preparing strong manuscripts and selecting the most suitable journals for submission. She will also highlight the range of author support tools provided by Springer Nature.
In addition, she will discuss Springer Nature’s AI policies, outline best practices for using AI responsibly in the publishing workflow, and introduce the AI-driven tools available to authors, reviewers, and the broader scientific community to help make the publishing process more efficient.
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Christian Hulteberg
Dr.
Lund University, Division of Chemical Engineering
Lecture Title
Reaction Engineering – Mastering Chemistry and Gradients
Lecture Abstract
Reaction engineering lies at the heart of transforming molecular insight into industrial impact, and heterogeneous catalysis remains one of its most powerful tools. In this seminar, we explore how catalytic reactions are shaped not only by chemical kinetics but by the complex interplay of heat and mass transport phenomena. While intrinsic reaction rates are central to catalyst discovery and mechanistic understanding, real laboratory and pilot reactors introduce gradients—axial, radial, and intraparticle—that can hide true catalyst performance. Mastering these gradients is essential for designing meaningful experiments, interpreting data correctly, and bridging the gap from micro‑scale studies to industrial reactors.
Through examples of scouting, optimisation, and prototype reactors, we will examine how reactor design influences observable rates, selectivity, and diagnostic reliability. Key dimensionless groups, such as the Wheeler–Weisz modulus, Biot number, and Péclet number, will be introduced as practical tools for evaluating transport limitations. Strategies to mitigate gradients—such as dilution, particle‑size variation, and flow‑rate manipulation—will also be discussed.
Home Page
https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/lucat/user/970898ba0088b265be5543fe57c1574a
Chris Hardacre
Prof. Dr.
The University of Manchester, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
Lecture Title
Principles and exemplars of non-thermal plasma catalysis using heterogeneous catalysts
Lecture Abstract
This presentation will examine the use of non-thermal plasmas to activate heterogeneous catalysts. The fundamentals of the processes will be presented and illustrated using examples from environmental control, hydrogen production and purification as well as CO2 conversion. In addition to the reaction outcomes, the measurement of reaction kinetics on the plasma catalysis will be exemplified as well as the development of in-situ characterisation tools to examine the mechanism of the processes. Some options for scaling up/out the reactor set ups will also be discussed.
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Roland Dittmeyer
Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Institut für Mikroverfahrenstechnik
Lecture Title
Multifunctional membrane reactors – From concept to experimental testing
Lecture Abstract
Strictly speaking, multifunctional reactors are those that, in addition to a chemical reaction – including the supply or removal of heat to sustain that reaction – perform at least one additional unit operation. A membrane built into a chemical reactor may serve different purposes: It can be used to extract one of the products selectively from the reaction mixture in order to shift conversion. It can also be used for distributed supply of a reactant; if the membrane is only permeable for that reactant, the task of separating it from a mixture can be integrated into the reactor as well. Finally, it can serve to accommodate a catalyst or function as an interface to couple two different chemical reactions. For all systems, for the membrane to have a significant effect on the reaction, the kinetics of membrane mass transport and chemical reactions must match and the materials must be compatible under the prevailing conditions. Three different examples for multifunctional membrane reactors from various projects carried out at IMVT over the last decade will be introduced in the presentation from the design concept to the realization and testing in lab scale. For steam methane reforming, an ultra-compact two-stage palladium membrane micro-reformer was developed, where the palladium membrane extracts the hydrogen formed on a catalyst in the reforming reaction [1]. For direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, a high-pressure tolerant membrane micro-reactor was developed, where a polymeric membrane served for alternate dosing of oxygen and hydrogen into a liquid reaction medium flowing through a microchannel equipped with a catalyst [2]. For photocatalytic removal of micropollutants, a cross-flow filtration membrane micro-reactor was developed, where a nanofiltration membrane surface-coated with a photocatalyst leads to a concentration increase of the pollutant at the catalyst surface thus accelerating the photodegradation rate [3].
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Ahmet Kerim Avcı
Prof. Dr.
Boğaziçi University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
Lecture Title
Intensified catalytic reactors for greener processing
Lecture Abstract
Growing concerns about global warming, driven by greenhouse gas emissions and fossil-fuel-based energy consumption, have spurred efforts to investigate alternative technologies for the synthesis of fuels and chemicals. These technologies consider the incorporation of renewable energy, which varies by geography and location that may lack infrastructure. Off-grid operability, together with the scale and intermittent nature of renewable power, requires catalytic reactors that can operate profitably at scales less than two orders of magnitude smaller than their conventional counterparts. The so-called intensified catalytic reactors can meet this condition.
Reactor intensification can be achieved by increasing the surface area-to-volume ratio, by integrating a unit operation that enhances the extent of the catalytic reaction, and by electrification. The application of these principles to catalytic reactors and the resulting changes in their performance metrics form the scope of this lecture, which will be enriched by three high-impact examples: CO2-to-synthesis gas (syngas), CO2-to-Dimethyl Ether (DME), and ammonia synthesis.
The talk is expected to highlight the significance of intensification in increasing the efficiency and operational flexibility of catalytic reactors, making them profitably operable at capacities compatible with renewable energy supply.
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Deniz Üner
Prof. Dr.
Middle East Technical University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
Lecture Title
Dynamics and exchange in catalysis as monitored through NMR Spectroscopy
Lecture Abstract
Efficient catalysis, similar to life, proceeds by being in the right place at the right time. In other words, catalysis is governed by the active sites and their peripherals. But more so by how fast the reactants approach to the active site, and how efficiently they are disembarked from their position, once correct structure is formed. This feature is well tuned in living organisms, the catalytic action is concerted by a large dynamic matrix and a very well define active site. Current academic research with its analytical strategies focuses the attention on the site, this contribution will also address the non-trivial role of the matrix.
The catalytic materials, especially those used in industry, always come with a matrix, a structural support and promoters. The classical engineering analysis of these catalysts simplifies the problem through the concept of an effectiveness factor, which represents the relative fraction of a catalyst that is actually being used. A good understanding about the pore geometry is priceless in assessing the effectiveness factor. Furthermore, if the engineer knows how well the fluids are migrating within these pores, (s)he could forecast how much of these pores are accessible under industrial operating conditions. NMR spectroscopy can be used to assess the molecular correlation times by relaxation time measurements and their mathematical analysis. Water imbibed in catalyst structures are held strongly if they are very near the pore walls. The pore size influences molecular motion i.e. correlation times, i.e. relaxation constants. The process is called NMR relaxometry and will be discussed over a model system to demonstrate how particle size and pore size can impact the molecular dynamics, and hence catalysis.
In the same vein, if one understands molecular dynamics between adsorbed molecules and their gas phase counterparts, this information can pave the way towards catalyst and even process design. NMR can reveal the rates of exchange between different species, adsorbed or otherwise. With this information, tuning these exchange properties by additives becomes “chemical engineering” instead of a pure empirical science. An example on operando monitoring of the reactivities of hydrides during hydrogenation reactions will be presented along with their kinetic and thermodynamic analysis.
As a final note, methods will be discussed for characterization of suspended nanoparticles such as TiO2 and graphene oxide. There are more elaborate solid state NMR spectroscopy and its associated advanced techniques. But indirect monitoring offers a rapid strategy to have a birds eye view offered through the 1H window of the water molecules surrounding these particles. Furthermore, with such a strategy, one also understands the impact of these suspended particles to their environment, which also has a key role in catalysis.
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Emrah Özensoy
Prof. Dr.
Bilkent University, Chemistry Dpt.
Lecture Title
An Introduction to X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
Lecture Abstract
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a commonly used surface sensitive catalyst characterization technique which is based on the photoelectric effect. In this talk, we will provide fundamental insights regarding some of the capabilities, limitations, and opportunities offered by the XPS technique such as basic operational principles of XPS, origins of surface sensitivity, chemical shifts, spin orbit splitting, Auger and satellite features, baseline correction, peak fitting, and deconvolution, depth profiling, surface charging, and charge compensation.
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Ayten Ateş
Prof. Dr.
Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
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Ayşe Nilgün Akın
Prof. Dr.
Kocaeli University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
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Samira Fatma Kurtoğlu Öztulum
Assist. Prof. Dr.
Turkish-German University, Materials Science and Technology Dpt.
Lecture Title
X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Catalysis Researchers: Principles and Applications to Supported Metal Catalysts
Lecture Abstract
X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is one of the most powerful element-specific characterization techniques available to catalysis researchers, providing direct structural and electronic information about active metal sites under realistic conditions. This lecture introduces the fundamental principles of XAS, covering both X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis, with emphasis on what each region reveals about oxidation state, coordination environment, and local geometry. The working principles of synchrotron radiation facilities and beamline instrumentation are also discussed. Applications are illustrated through case studies on supported iridium catalysts, demonstrating how XAS can conclusively confirm atomic dispersion in single-atom catalysts and how operando measurements enable real-time tracking of metal cluster formation under reaction conditions.
Home Page
https://people.tau.edu.tr/people.show/samira.kurtoglu
Yeliz Gürdal Durğun
Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University, Bioengineering Dpt.
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Başar Çağlar
Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Izmir Institute of Technology, Energy Systems Engineering Dpt.
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Esra Bilgin Şimşek
Prof. Dr.
Gebze Technical University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
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Mustafa Karatok
Assist. Prof. Dr.
Hacettepe University, Dept. of Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine
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M. Oluş Özbek
Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Gebze Technical University, Chemical Engineering Dpt.
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