What Techniques are Used in Reverse Engineering Catalysts?
Several techniques are employed to reverse engineer catalysts, including:
Spectroscopy: Techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy help in understanding the surface composition and functional groups of catalysts. Microscopy: Electron microscopy (EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) provide detailed images of the catalyst's surface at the atomic level. Computational modeling: Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offer insights into the electronic structure and behavior of catalytic systems. Kinetic studies: Analyzing reaction kinetics helps in understanding the reaction pathways and identifying rate-determining steps.