Research in heterogeneous catalysis involves a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches. Techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are used to characterize the catalysts. Additionally, computational methods like density functional theory (DFT) are employed to understand the reaction mechanisms at the molecular level. These studies help in the rational design of catalysts with improved performance.
