In situ heater design for nanoscale synchrotron-based full-field transmission X-ray microscopy.
The oxidation of nickel powder under a controlled gas and temperature environment was studied using synchrotron-based full-field transmission X-ray microscopy. The use of this technique allowed for the reaction to be imaged in situ at 55 nm resolution. The setup was designed to fit in the limited working distance of the microscope and to provide the gas and temperature environments analogous to solid oxide fuel cell operating conditions. Chemical conversion from nickel to nickel oxide was confirmed using X-ray absorption near-edge structure. Using an unreacted core model, the reaction rate as a function of temperature and activation energy were calculated. This method can be applied to study many other chemical reactions requiring similar environmental conditions.
1Department of Mechanical Engineering,University of Connecticut,Storrs,CT 06269-3139,USA.
Andrew M
AM
Kiss
1Department of Mechanical Engineering,University of Connecticut,Storrs,CT 06269-3139,USA.
William M
WM
Harris
1Department of Mechanical Engineering,University of Connecticut,Storrs,CT 06269-3139,USA.
Arata
A
Nakajo
2Advanced Photon Source,Argonne National Laboratory,Argonne,IL 60439,USA.
Steve
S
Wang
2Advanced Photon Source,Argonne National Laboratory,Argonne,IL 60439,USA.
Joan
J
Vila-Comamala
2Advanced Photon Source,Argonne National Laboratory,Argonne,IL 60439,USA.
Alex
A
Deriy
1Department of Mechanical Engineering,University of Connecticut,Storrs,CT 06269-3139,USA.
Wilson K S
WK
Chiu
nickel oxidation