Probing solid catalysts under operating conditions: electrons or X-rays?
Seeing is believing: In light of recent advances, the pros and cons of using electrons and X-rays for in situ studies of catalysts are analyzed: by using X-rays the structure of bound reactants at steady state are obtained from extended X-ray adsorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) data (see graph), thereby affording mechanistic insights.
Thomas
John Meurig
JM
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK. jmt2@cam.ac.uk
Hernandez-Garrido
Juan-Carlos
JC