Several key instruments are pivotal in catalysis research:
Mass spectrometry: Used to analyze reaction intermediates and products. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy: Provides information about the structure, dynamics, and environment of catalysts. X-ray Diffraction (XRD): Used to determine the crystalline structure of solid catalysts. Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: Useful for identifying functional groups and monitoring reaction kinetics. Electron Microscopy: Offers high-resolution images of catalyst surfaces and structures. Computational Chemistry: Includes methods like Density Functional Theory (DFT) to model catalytic processes at the atomic level.
