Dynamic Heterogeneous Catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis plays a central role across diverse fields, including energy conversion, chemical synthesis, and environmental remediation. Because of its ubiquity and impact, improving catalytic performance has long been a priority in both academic and industrial research. Traditionally, progress has relied on designing better catalyst materials or on applying auxiliary methods such as temperature, pressure, or electric-field control. However, these strategies generally operate under static conditions—assuming a fixed surface state throughout the reaction. The requirements for different catalytic steps often vary or even conflict with each other. This mismatch imposes intrinsic limitations on performance optimization.

Dynamic heterogeneous catalysis has recently emerged as a compelling strategy to overcome these static constraints. By actively modulating surface states or reaction conditions over time, it enables synchronization of the catalytic environment with individual reaction steps. Instead of searching for a single ideal static state, dynamic catalysis enables time-dependent control that optimizes each stage of the catalytic cycle, from adsorption to reaction and desorption, for improved activity, selectivity, and stability.

In this primer, the authors begin by introducing the motivation for dynamic catalysis and how it seeks to transcend the intrinsic limitations of static operation. The following chapters are organized around the three fundamental catalytic metrics—activity, selectivity, and stability—illustrating how dynamic stimuli can enhance each through distinct mechanisms. Where relevant, we revisit earlier reports and reinterpret them through the lens of dynamic principles. While aspects such as dynamic parameter optimization and scale-up are briefly discussed, the primary focus remains on establishing general concepts and mechanistic insights, as the field is still in its formative stage. In addition, this primer contains useful pedagogical features to enhance the reading experience: a pop-up glossary provides seamless learning, “That’s a Wrap” summarizes the chapters, and “Read These Next” are suggested references to aid readers’ transition into the literature.