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Heterogeneities of individual catalyst particles in space and time as monitored by spectroscopy

Nature Chemistry volume 4, pages 873–886 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

Recent years have witnessed the introduction of spatiotemporal spectroscopy for the characterization of catalysts at work at previously unattainable resolution and sensitivity. They have revealed that heterogeneous catalysts are more heterogeneous than often expected. Dynamic changes in the nature of active sites, such as their distribution and accessibility, occur both between and within particles. Scientists now have micro- and nanospectroscopic methods at hand to improve the understanding of catalyst heterogeneities and exploit them in catalyst design. Here we review the latest developments within this lively field. The trends include detection of single particles or molecules, super-resolution imaging, the transition from two- to three-dimensional imaging, selective staining, integration of spectroscopy with electron microscopy or scanning probe methods, and measuring under realistic reaction conditions. Such experimental approaches change the hitherto somewhat static picture of heterogeneous catalysis into one that acknowledges that catalysts behave almost like living objects — explaining why many characterization methods from the life sciences are being incorporated into catalysis research.

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Figure 1: Dynamics of individual catalyst particles and related heterogeneities in space and time.
Figure 2: Chemical imaging methods that are available or will become available in the future (in italics), for investigating individual catalyst particles.
Figure 3: Selected literature examples of the nature and distribution of active sites within structured porous oxides.
Figure 4: Selected literature examples on active-site accessibility within structured porous oxides.
Figure 5: Selected literature examples on active-site accessibility within structured porous oxides.
Figure 6: Selected literature examples on the nature of active sites within supported metal (oxide) nanoparticles.
Figure 7: Selected literature examples of active-site distribution within supported metal (oxide) nanoparticles.
Figure 8: Selected literature examples on active-site distribution within supported metal (oxide) nanoparticles.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. M. Ruppert (Technical University Lodz) for the design of Figs 1 and 2, and P. C. A. Bruijnincx and J. P. Hofmann (Utrecht University) for discussions and comments.

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  1. Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group, Debye Institute for NanoMaterials Science, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands

    Inge L. C. Buurmans & Bert M. Weckhuysen

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  1. Inge L. C. Buurmans
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  2. Bert M. Weckhuysen
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Correspondence to Bert M. Weckhuysen.

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Buurmans, I., Weckhuysen, B. Heterogeneities of individual catalyst particles in space and time as monitored by spectroscopy. Nature Chem 4, 873–886 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1478

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