Sanjaya Senanayake
Chemist, Catalysis: Reactivity and Structure Group, Chemistry Division
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Chemistry Division
Bldg. 555
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
(631) 344-4343
ssenanay@bnl.gov
Sanjaya Senanayake is a PI in the Catalysis: Reactivity and Structure (CRS) Group and leads experimental investigations in surface science and heterogeneous catalysis for C-1 (CO2, CO, CH4) activation and in the synthesis of fuels. His main research interests are in the fundamental understanding of chemical transformations over surfaces of catalysts, enabled by the use of advanced experimental methods (imaging, spectroscopy and scattering) based on X-rays and electrons to elucidate active catalytic chemistry.
Research | Education | Appointments | Publications | Highlights | Awards
Research Activities
Catalysis: Reactivity and Structure
Research Interests
Heterogeneous Catalysis, surface science, synchrotron techniques, electron microscopy, nanoparticles, metal oxide chemistry, model and powder catalysts.
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry, 2006
The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Bachelor of Technology in Materials with Honours (B.Tech. (Hons)), 2001
The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Professional Appointments
Chemist with Tenure, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)
The Chemistry Division, 2020-Present
Chemist, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)
The Chemistry Division, 2018-2020
Associate Chemist, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)
The Department of Chemistry, 2014-2018
Assistant Chemist, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)
The Department of Chemistry, 2012-2014
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL)
The Department of Chemistry, Sept 2008 - 2012.
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Chemical Sciences Division, Aug 2005 - 2008.
Selected Publications
- Liu Z, Huang E, Orozco I, Liao W, Palomino RM, Rui N, Duchon T, Nemšák S, Grinter DC, Mahapatra M, Liu P, Rodriguez JA, Senanayake SD (2020) Water-promoted interfacial pathways in methane oxidation to methanol on a CeO 2 -Cu 2 O catalyst. Science 368:513–517. doi: 10.1126/science.aba5005
- Rodriguez JA, Remesal ER, Ramírez PJ, Orozco I, Liu Z, Graciani J, Senanayake SD, Sanz JF (2019) Water–Gas Shift Reaction on K/Cu(111) and Cu/K/TiO2(110) Surfaces: Alkali Promotion of Water Dissociation and Production of H2. ACS Catalysis 9:10751–10760. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.9b03922
- Liu Z, Zhang F, Rui N, Li X, Lin L, Betancourt LE, Su D, Xu W, Cen J, Attenkofer K, Idriss H, Rodriguez JA, Senanayake SD (2019) Highly Active Ceria-Supported Ru Catalyst for the Dry Reforming of Methane: In Situ Identification of Ruδ+–Ce3+ Interactions for Enhanced Conversion. ACS Catalysis 9:3349–3359. doi: 10.1021/acscatal.8b05162
- Lin L, Yao S, Liu Z, Zhang F, Li N, Vovchok D, Martínez-Arias A, Castañeda R, Lin J, Senanayake SD, Su D, Ma D, Rodriguez JA (2018) In Situ Characterization of Cu/CeO2 Nanocatalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation: Morphological Effects of Nanostructured Ceria on the Catalytic Activity. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 122:12934–12943. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b03596
- Liu Z, Lustemberg P, Gutiérrez RA, Carey JJ, Palomino RM, Vorokhta M, Grinter DC, Ramírez PJ, Matolín V, Nolan M, Ganduglia-Pirovano MV, Senanayake SD, Rodriguez JA (2017) In Situ Investigation of Methane Dry Reforming on Metal/Ceria(111) Surfaces: Metal-Support Interactions and C−H Bond Activation at Low Temperature. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 56:13041–13046. doi: 10.1002/anie.201707538
- Graciani J, Mudiyanselage K, Xu F, Baber AE, Evans J, Senanayake SD, Stacchiola DJ, Liu P, Hrbek J, Sanz JF, Rodriguez JA (2014) Highly active copper-ceria and copper-ceria-titania catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO 2. Science 345:546–550. doi: 10.1126/science.1253057
- Mudiyanselage K, Senanayake SD, Feria L, Kundu S, Baber AE, Graciani J, Vidal AB, Agnoli S, Evans J, Chang R, Axnanda S, Liu Z, Sanz JF, Liu P, Rodriguez JA, Stacchiola DJ (2013) Importance of the Metal–Oxide Interface in Catalysis: In Situ Studies of the Water–Gas Shift Reaction by Ambient-Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 52:5101–5105. doi: 10.1002/anie.201210077
- Senanayake SD, Stacchiola D, Rodriguez JA (2013) Unique Properties of Ceria Nanoparticles Supported on Metals: Novel Inverse Ceria/Copper Catalysts for CO Oxidation and the Water-Gas Shift Reaction. Accounts of Chemical Research 46:1702–1711. doi: 10.1021/ar300231p
- Xu W, Si R, Senanayake SD, Llorca J, Idriss H, Stacchiola D, Hanson JC, Rodriguez JA (2012) In situ studies of CeO2-supported Pt, Ru, and Pt–Ru alloy catalysts for the water–gas shift reaction: Active phases and reaction intermediates. Journal of Catalysis 291:117–126. doi: 10.1016/j.jcat.2012.04.013
- Senanayake SD, Sadowski JT, Evans J, Kundu S, Agnoli S, Yang F, Stacchiola D, Flege JI, Hrbek J, Rodriguez JA (2012) Nanopattering in CeOx/Cu(111): A New Type of Surface Reconstruction and Enhancement of Catalytic Activity. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 3:839–843. doi: 10.1021/jz300159p
- Senanayake SD, Evans J, Agnoli S, Barrio L, Chen T-L, Hrbek J, Rodriguez JA (2011) Water–Gas Shift and CO Methanation Reactions over Ni–CeO2(111) Catalysts. Topics in Catalysis 54:34–41. doi: 10.1007/s11244-011-9645-6
Research Highlights
Catalyst for 'One-Step' Conversion of Methane to Methanol
A Roadmap to Close the Carbon Cycle
CO2 Conversion Helps Industry, Addresses Climate
Novel Chemical Reaction Supports Carbon-Neutral Industrial Processes
Three Brookhaven Scientists Named Oppenheimer Leadership Fellows
Converting Methane to Methanol—With and Without Water
Improving a Natural Gas Conversion Catalyst
Study Reveals Platinum's Role in Clean Fuel Conversion
Water is Key in Catalytic Conversion of Methane to Methanol
How Water Promotes Catalysis of Methane to Methanol
Mesoporous Co/CeO2 Catalysts for Hydrogen Production
More than Just Support: MOFs as Intrinsic Catalysts
Cliff Gerlak: From U.S. Marine Veteran to Chemical Engineer
Despite Devastation, They—and Their Science—Go On
Interns Investigate Catalysts for a Greener Future
Three Brookhaven Lab Scientists Selected to Receive Early Career Research Program Funding
PubSci: The Cutting Edge of Chemistry
Brookhaven Lab-Led Research Aims to Develop Protections Against Chemical Warfare Agents
Catalyst Renders Nerve Agents Harmless
New Catalyst for Making Methanol from Methane
‘Super-catalyst’ Found to Purify Hydrogen
Awards & Recognition
ACS Petroleum Research Fund Surface Science Panel Chair 2024
Brookhaven Council Chair 2023
United States Department of Energy: Oppenheimer Leadership Fellow 2022
BNL Spotlight Award 2018, 2021
United States Department of Energy: Early Career Research Award 2017
NSLS/CFN Users Meeting Postdoc and Student Poster Prize 2007, 2008
L.H. Briggs Memorial Prize and Medal (2005), The University of Auckland 2006
The University of Auckland Doctoral Completion Award 2005
The University of Auckland Partnership Appeal Award 2004
The University of Auckland Graduate Research Fund 2003
NZ Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Travel Award 2001
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Chemistry Division
Bldg. 555
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
(631) 344-4343
ssenanay@bnl.gov