In situ diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy for fast catalytic processes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Investigating catalytic materials under reaction conditions is crucial for understanding and improving catalytic processes.
• Synchronous analysis using multiple techniques can provide complementary information for complex materials.
• Existing methods may have limitations in terms of element coverage, reaction conditions, or time resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and build a novel instrument for synchronous in situ investigations of catalytic materials.
• To combine infrared (IR) and X-ray absorption spectroscopies for comprehensive catalysis science.
• To enable the study of structural, electronic, and kinetic properties of catalysts.

Main Methods:

• Development of a new instrument integrating IR and X-ray absorption spectroscopies.
• Utilizing the X18A beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) of Brookhaven National Laboratory.
• Performing in situ measurements under a wide range of reaction conditions (up to 873 K, various gases) and time scales (down to tens of seconds).

Main Results:

• Successful design and construction of a versatile instrument for synchronous catalysis investigations.
• Demonstration of the instrument's capability to study a broad range of catalytically active elements (e.g., Nickel and beyond).
• Presentation of representative experimental results showcasing the instrument's effectiveness in addressing catalysis challenges.

Conclusions:

• The new synchronous IR and X-ray absorption spectroscopy instrument is a powerful tool for in situ catalysis research.
• The instrument facilitates detailed investigations into the structure, electronic properties, and kinetics of catalytic materials.
• This development offers significant advancements for solving complex problems in catalysis science.