title: Mesoscale Characterization of Nanoparticles Distribution Using X-ray Scattering.
abstract: The properties of many functional materials depend critically on the spatial distribution of an active phase within a support. In the case of solid catalysts, controlling the spatial distribution of metal (oxide) nanoparticles at the mesoscopic scale offers new strategies to tune their performance and enhance their lifetimes. However, such advanced control requires suitable characterization methods, which are currently scarce. Here, we show how the background in small-angle X-ray scattering patterns can be analyzed to quantitatively access the mesoscale distribution of nanoparticles within supports displaying hierarchical porosity. This is illustrated for copper catalysts supported on meso- and microporous silica displaying distinctly different metal distributions. Results derived from X-ray scattering are in excellent agreement with electron tomography. Our strategy opens unprecedented prospects for understanding the properties and to guide the synthesis of a wide array of functional nanomaterials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Liège, Allée du 6 août 3, 4000 Liège (Belgium). cedric.gommes@ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Cedric J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gommes
authors.affiliation: Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.affiliation: Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Jovana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zecevic
authors.affiliation: Polymer Chemistry and Materials, Catholic University of Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee (Belgium).
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanhalle
authors.affiliation: Polymer Chemistry and Materials, Catholic University of Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Heverlee (Belgium).
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goderis
authors.affiliation: Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Krijn P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.affiliation: Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht (The Netherlands). P.E.deJongh@uu.nl.
authors.forename: Petra E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: de Jongh
keywords: catalysts; electron tomography; nanoparticles; small-angle X-ray scattering; spatial distribution