Fluorescence EXAFS for the in situ study on the state of promoters in catalysis

The fluorescence EXAFS (FLEXAFS) technique has been combined with an in situ cell and on-line gas analysis. For this purpose a seven-element silicon drift detector has been used, which has high count rate capabilities and can be operated at room temperature. The potential of this technique is shown by the study of the state of copper promoter atoms in Fe-Cr based high temperature shift (HTS) catalysts. The FLEXAFS measurements revealed that Cu (0.17-1.5 wt%) is present in the metallic state under working conditions of the catalysts but easily re-oxidizes upon air exposure. The reduction behaviour of copper depends strongly on the copper concentration and the pre-treatment, i.e. if the catalysts have been calcined or used in the HTS reaction. For used catalysts, a Cu(I) phase was detected as intermediate during reduction. Its stability was especially high at low copper concentration.