What Techniques are Used for Structural Elucidation?
Several techniques are employed to elucidate the structure of catalysts, each with its own advantages and limitations:
- X-ray Crystallography: Provides detailed atomic-level information of crystalline materials. It is highly accurate but requires the material to be crystalline. - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy: Useful for understanding the local chemical environment of atoms, especially in homogeneous catalysts. - Electron Microscopy: Techniques like Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) offer high-resolution images of catalyst surfaces and nanostructures. - X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS): Includes X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS). These non-destructive techniques provide information on the oxidation states and coordination environment of atoms. - Infrared (IR) and Raman Spectroscopy: Useful for identifying functional groups and studying surface species during catalysis.
