Exploring the fascinating world of surface catalysis through the groundbreaking work of Professor Norbert Kruse
Imagine a world without gasoline, plastics, fertilizers, or clean air. This would be our reality without the silent, invisible work of catalysis at surfaces—the process where chemical reactions are accelerated by contact with specialized surfaces. Every day, countless chemical transformations occur on surfaces so small that they'd fit on a pinhead, yet they produce the materials that power our civilization.
This fascinating field bridges the atomic world of molecules and the practical world of industrial production, making chemical processes faster, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
At the heart of this field stands Professor Norbert Kruse, whose 70th birthday inspired a special issue of the scientific journal "Topics in Catalysis." Throughout his distinguished career, Kruse has peered into the molecular dance that occurs where gases meet solids, uncovering secrets that have advanced everything from automotive pollution control to sustainable fuel production 1 .
Over 90% of all chemical industrial processes involve catalysts at some stage.
At its simplest, surface catalysis occurs when a solid material accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. Think of a surface as a molecular dance floor where reacting molecules meet, rearrange, and form new partnerships.
The catalyst provides the perfect environment for these molecular interactions to occur more easily than they would otherwise.
The special issue "A Close Look at Catalysis at Surfaces" represents far more than a typical academic collection. Published in 2020 in Topics in Catalysis, it contains over 220 peer-reviewed papers honoring Professor Kruse's extensive contributions to the field 1 .
What makes this issue notable is how it reflects Kruse's distinctive approach to science, highlighting his perseverance, creativity, and leadership.
Catalytic converters transform harmful exhaust gases into less toxic substances.
Iron catalysts help convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia for fertilizers.
Specialized catalysts enable precise molecular constructions for effective medicines.
As Wolfgang Grünert and colleagues note in their textbook, "Catalysis is at the heart of the chemical industry" and is equally essential for "the ongoing transition to a sustainable energy supply" 2 .
Norbert Kruse's scientific path spans continents and disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of catalysis research itself. He earned his doctoral degree from the Technical University of Berlin after conducting research at the prestigious Fritz-Haber-Institut of the Max Planck Society 1 .
Doctoral student at Technical University of Berlin
Research at Fritz-Haber-Institut Berlin
Lecturer at ETH Zurich
Developing expertise in field emission methods
Professor at Université libre de Bruxelles
Building internationally recognized research group
President of International Field Emission Society
Leadership in specialized research community
Voiland Distinguished Professor at Washington State University and PNNL
Focus on sustainable catalytic processes
Pursued research passion at this renowned Swiss university
Appointed full professor in 1994, developing into an internationally recognized leader
Joint appointment focusing on sustainable catalytic processes
Kruse's approach combines:
One of the greatest challenges in surface catalysis has been observing chemical reactions as they actually occur at the atomic level. For decades, scientists could only measure what went into and came out of catalytic reactions, with the actual molecular dance remaining invisible.
Kruse tackled this challenge using field emission methods—techniques that apply extremely high electric fields to create magnified images of surfaces with atomic resolution 1 . His perseverance in mastering these techniques positioned him as one of the few global experts capable of revealing previously invisible aspects of catalytic reactions.
This technique creates such strong electric fields that electrons "tunnel" out from metal surfaces, traveling to a detector screen to create magnified images where individual atoms can be distinguished.
Researchers begin with an extremely sharp metal tip, so fine that its point consists of just a few atoms.
Reactant gases are introduced into a vacuum chamber containing the tip.
High voltages create strong electric fields causing electrons to tunnel from the metal surface.
Patterns on the detector screen reveal how molecules move, bond, and transform at atomic scale.
Through such experiments, Kruse's team made a remarkable discovery: they demonstrated that carbon monoxide molecules can insert themselves into growing hydrocarbon chains during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis 1 . This provided unprecedented insight into how this important industrial process works at the molecular level.
| Phenomenon Observed | Scientific Significance | Practical Implications |
|---|---|---|
| CO insertion in Fischer-Tropsch | Revealed mechanism of chain growth in fuel production | Enabled design of more selective catalysts |
| Nanosized target patterns | Demonstrated how reactions self-organize at nanoscale | Suggested new approaches to catalyst design |
| Field-induced oscillations | Showed electric fields can drive rhythmic surface processes | Opened possibilities for controlling reactions with external fields |
Catalysis research relies on specialized tools and materials that enable scientists to both create and study catalytic surfaces. These tools range from sophisticated microscopes that can see individual atoms to chemical techniques for designing surfaces with specific properties.
| Tool/Material | Primary Function | Real-World Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Field Emission Microscope | Creates magnified images of surfaces with atomic resolution | A super-powered magnifying glass that lets researchers watch atoms interact in real time |
| Metal Nanoparticles | Provide active surfaces where reactions occur | Like molecular dance floors where chemical partners meet and rearrange |
| Porous Supports (zeolites, MOFs) | Create extremely high surface areas in small volumes | A microscopic sponge with countless nooks and crannies where catalysis occurs |
| High-Pressure Reactors | Simulate industrial process conditions | A test kitchen for replicating the high temperatures and pressures of industrial catalysis |
| Transient Kinetic Methods | Track how reactions change over millisecond timescales | A high-speed camera that captures the fleeting intermediate steps of chemical reactions |
As Martin Muhler and colleagues note in their textbook, catalysis research requires "profound knowledge from chemistry, physics and engineering" 2 —knowledge that is embodied in these specialized tools and techniques.
Professor Kruse's contributions extend far beyond individual discoveries. As president of the International Field Emission Society (2008-2014) and editor-in-chief of leading journals including Catalysis Letters and Topics in Catalysis, he helped shape the entire field 1 .
His leadership of the CAPoC conferences (Congress on Catalysis and Automotive Pollution Control) created a vital bridge between academic researchers and industry professionals working to reduce vehicle emissions 4 .
"The journey continues" 1 — this poetic conclusion from the special issue editors captures the ongoing nature of scientific discovery in surface catalysis.
Perhaps most importantly, Kruse's research philosophy demonstrates the value of pursuing both fundamental understanding and practical applications. His work on Fischer-Tropsch catalysis not only revealed fundamental reaction mechanisms but also opened pathways to produce oxygenated chemicals—valuable industrial products—rather than just diesel fuel 1 .
President (2008-2014)
Editor-in-Chief of Catalysis Letters and Topics in Catalysis
Leadership bridging academia and industry
The science of catalysis at surfaces continues to evolve, addressing new challenges from sustainable energy to environmental protection. As Wolfgang Grünert and colleagues observe, catalysis is crucial for "the ongoing transition to a sustainable energy supply," which requires new ways to store energy in chemical bonds 2 .
What makes this field so enduringly fascinating is that it remains full of mysteries. Despite decades of research, scientists still haven't unlocked all the secrets of how surfaces accelerate chemical transformations. Each answer reveals new questions, ensuring that the next generation of researchers will continue the work that Professor Kruse and his colleagues have advanced.
This journey—from observing individual atoms to designing catalysts that transform our world—demonstrates the power of fundamental scientific research to address practical human needs while satisfying our deep curiosity about how nature works at its most fundamental level.