How does catalyst characterization impact the development of new catalysts?
Understanding the structure and behavior of catalysts at the atomic level is crucial for designing effective catalysts. Advanced catalyst characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and spectroscopy provide insights into the catalyst's active sites and reaction intermediates. However, these techniques often require sophisticated equipment and expertise, making them inaccessible for some research groups. Improving the accessibility and sensitivity of these methods remains a key challenge.