Which Techniques are Commonly Used for Characterization?
Several techniques are employed to characterize catalysts. Some of the most common ones include:
- X-ray Diffraction (XRD): Provides information about the crystalline structure and phase composition of the catalyst. - Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): Offers high-resolution images of the catalyst, revealing its morphology and particle size. - Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Used for surface morphology analysis and particle size distribution. - Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) Surface Area Analysis: Measures the specific surface area of the catalyst, which is critical for understanding its activity. - X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS): Determines the elemental composition and oxidation states of the elements on the surface of the catalyst. - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): Used to identify functional groups and monitor surface interactions during reactions. - Temperature-Programmed Desorption (TPD): Provides information about the types and strengths of adsorption sites on the catalyst surface.
