Warning: We observe an increase of emails from fake travel portals like . "travelhosting.co.uk". We never send links to such portals so be vigilant!

17–19 Sept 2018
Fakultät für Maschinenwesen der Technischen Universität München
Europe/Berlin timezone

Revealing Catalyst Complexity in 3D with Synchrotron X-ray Nanotomography

19 Sept 2018, 11:30
15m
MW 2001 (Fakultät für Maschinenwesen)

MW 2001

Fakultät für Maschinenwesen

Talk P10 Others Parallel session 9

Speaker

Dr Thomas Sheppard (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT))

Description

Catalysts are complex materials whose structure and reactive behaviour are closely interlinked. All length scales are relevant in catalysis, from metal nanoparticles, to porosity (micro- meso- and macropores), to global structure (e.g. grains, pellets or monoliths). While electron microscopy is well suited for analysis at (sub)nanometre resolution, this is often limited to small fields of view, thin sample lamella, and high vacuum conditions. Sample preparation is an important consideration, ideally delicate structural features should be preserved and measurements performed non-invasively. Developments in hard X-ray imaging using synchrotron radiation, particularly ptychographic X-ray computed tomography (PXCT), allow non-invasive measurement of large sample volumes with spatial resolutions unmatched by other X-ray microscopy methods. Here we demonstrate the derivation of structural information from two diverse catalyst systems using PXCT, (i) hierarchical nanoporous gold, (ii) Pt-alumina exhaust gas catalyst monoliths. In both cases micrometre-sized samples were measured, with 3D isotropic spatial resolutions of 13 and 35 nm, respectively. The 3D volumes obtained allowed direct and non-invasive quantification of catalyst surface area, pore size distribution and pore network topology. PXCT is highlighted as a method with uniquely high potential in catalysis research, which will furthermore benefit greatly from the advent of fourth generation synchrotron light sources.

Primary authors

Dr Thomas Sheppard (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)) Mr Yakub Fam (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) Mr Johannes Becher (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) Dr Ana Diaz (Paul Scherrer Institut) Dr Mirko Holler (Paul Scherrer Institut) Dr Andreas Schropp (DESY) Christian Schroer (DESY / Uni. Hamburg) Prof. Jan-Dierk Grunwaldt (KIT)

Presentation materials

There are no materials yet.