Several advanced techniques are employed to study the structure of catalysts:
- X-ray Crystallography: This technique provides detailed information about the atomic arrangement within crystalline materials. It is particularly useful for solid-state catalysts. - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy: NMR helps in understanding the local environment of atoms within a catalyst and can provide information on the dynamics of catalytic processes. - Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): TEM allows for the visualization of the morphology and structure of catalysts at the nanometer scale, providing insights into particle size and shape. - X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS): XAS is used to study the electronic structure and local geometry of catalysts, especially those involving metal centers. - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): FTIR is employed to monitor the interactions between catalysts and reactants, which can reveal information about the active sites and intermediates.
