Measuring location, size, distribution, and loading of NiO crystallites in individual SBA-15 pores by electron tomography.
By the combination of electron tomography with image segmentation, the properties of 299 NiO crystallites contained in 6 SBA-15 pores were studied. A statistical analysis of the particle size showed that crystallites between 2 and 6 nm were present with a distribution maximum at 3 and 4 nm, for the number-weighted and volume-weighted curves, respectively. Interparticle distances between nearest neighbors were 1-3 nm with very few isolated crystallites. In the examined pores, a local loading twice the applied average of 24 wt % NiO was found. This suggests that a very high local loading combined with a high dispersion is achievable.
Friedrich
Heiner
H
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands. h.friedrich@uu.nl
Sietsma
Jelle R A
JR
de Jongh
Petra E
PE
Verkleij
Arie J
AJ
de Jong
Krijn P
KP
D008958:Models, Molecular; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D009532:Nickel; C028007:nickel monoxide