Real-Time Catalyst Observations Using In Situ TEM

  • DESNsolutions Climate in situ TEM platform temperature and gas

    Catalysts accelerate chemical reactions leading to higher reaction efficiencies. Observation of real time kinetics provides a clearer idea and sometimes new insights into how they actually work. Using a system like the DENSsolutions Climate allow you to observe the reaction dynamics at the micro or nano scale in real time, in a controlled environment that can be tailored to closely mimic real operating conditions. At TEM resolution, single particles can be studied which is not possible using other techniques.

    In situ Gas Analyser

    DENSsolutions also offer a Gas Analyser specifically designed to work with the Climate is specifically designed to work seamlessly with the Climate in situ Gas & Heating solution. It enables analysis of reaction products, it transforms the Climate into a unique platform combining TEM-based data with information about the kinetics of the reaction under examination.

    Climate EDS Compatible Nano-Reactor

    The Climate platform is also compatible with EDS detectors for chenical analyses.

    Application Examples

    The following sections illustrate a number of different imaging and analytical modes made possible by the DENSsolutions Climate in situ TEM platform that relate directly to catalyst research.

  • Real-time imaging of catalyst activity

    This interesting video shows that there are active and inactive particles and that not all catalyst particles contribute to the reaction. The DENSsolutions Climate offers a platform to investigate catalyst activity at the single particle level.
    You will notice a single particle in the top right that displays an unusual shape dynamics for a metal catalyst. It however provides an insight into catalytic reaction mechanics and performance.
    Experiment: Ni exposed to 500 mBar He:H2:O2 at 730 °C In this in situ TEM video using the Climate system, a heterogeneous catalyst, Ni oxide, was first reduced before a gas flow of Helium + Hydrogen + Oxygen was introduced to the Nano-Reactor at 730°C.

  • Metal catalyst dynamics revealed by in situ TEM

    This video clearly shows the 3 stages of catalytic reaction of the nickel catalyst:

    1. Activation
    2. Working state under reaction conditions
    3. Return to the initial state

    This video reveals unexpected and exciting behaviour that occurs that may not be limited to the surface of the catalyst.

    Experimental data – Dr. Marc Willinger & Dr. Ramzi Farra, Fritz-Haber-Institute fur der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Germany.

  • Single particle electron diffraction

    Understanding catalyst mechanics requires observation of changes in crystal structure. In situ TEM selected area electron diffraction (SAED) enables users to study dynamic crystalline evolution on single particles.

    Synchrotrons can perform similar studies using in situ XRD, but data is generated from a large number particles.

    Experiment: Ni exposed to 500 mBar He:H2:O2 at 730°C, data provided by Dr. Marc Willinger & Dr. Ramzi Farra, Fritz-Haber-Institute fur der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Germany.

  • Atomic Resolution Surface Dynamics

    Atomic resolution imaging reveals how the surface of the material with a certain orientation shows oscillatory behaviour while other surfaces are not active which is crucial in the design of high efficiency catalysts for optimal reactive productivity.

    Experiment: Cu exposed to 500 mBar H2:N2:O2 at 350 °C with data from Dr. Marc Willinger & Dr. Ramzi Farra, Fritz-Haber-Institute fur der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Germany & Dr. Qiang Xu, DENSsolutions, The Netherlands.

  • DENSsolutions - Climate EELS

    Measuring Chemical Bonding Evolution Using EELS

    An understanding of the evolution of chemical bonding of catalysts under real world operating conditions can be generated using TEM-EELS down to the single particle level. Similar data can only otherwise be obtained using an in situ XPS at a synchrotron

    Experiment: CuO exposed to 500 mBar H2:N2:O2 at 350°C HRTEM images (left) were taken at 300 °C with a resolution better than 1 Å (see FFT, right) after the sample was reduced from CuO in 1 bar pressure of H2 + 4N2. EELS measurements were taken at 50 °C increments, showing that the reduction of CuO to metallic Cu is achieved at 250 °C (lower) – data from Dr. Qiang Xu, DENSsolutions, The Netherlands.

  • DENSsolutions Climate calorimetry for catalysts

    Calorimetric Analysis of CuO Particle Dynamics

    The high sensitivity 4-point-probe micro-heater used in the DENSsolutions Climate is ideal for measuring the energy emitted or absorbed as the result of an exothermic or endothermic reaction. Catalysts commonly have multiple reaction steps. Using the constant temperature mode of the Nano-Reactor, tiny changes in input energy can be measured, indivative of these reactions.

    In this example in situ TEM observation of the CuO redox reaction and the phase transformation from Cu to Cu2O. At about 15:32min, energy consumption drops off, followed by period of oscillation with an overall downward trend. While the phenomenon is not fully understood, it is clear exothermic reactions are taking place.

    Experiment: CuO exposed to 110 mBar MeOH at 500°C – data from Dr. Marc Willinger & Dr. Ramzi Farra, Fritz-Haber-Institute fur der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Germany.