Development of X-ray modulation enhanced techniques to study surface reactions at industrially relevant conditions

-

This project is a continuation of a close collaboration between the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Swiss-Norwegian Beamlines at ESRF (SNBL). SNBL has in recent years developed into one of the most versatile and advanced beam lines for in situ catalyst studies. However, the available techniques at the beamline are bulk techniques by their very nature. Very few (if any) techniques are able to selectively probe the surface fraction of catalysts at industrially relevant conditio ns. This project suggests a novel step towards (surface) sensitivity and selectivity by using Modulation Enhanced Diffraction (MED) and Modulation Excitation Spectroscopy (MES). The XRD detector hardware needs to be upgraded to bring the measurement tim e in line with the already state of the art Quick EXAFS setup and ME requirements. Both detection systems will then be capable of performing Modulation experiments. The proposed developments will also strengthen the place of SNBL at the forefront for char acterising catalysts and other types of materials operating in challenging environments. With this novel modulation approach we aim at obtaining an improved understanding of surface reactions under industrially relevant conditions. Our first results alre ady indicate that this is a realistic goal. This project constitutes a major innovation in experimental methodology at synchrotron facilities bringing together experts in the field of catalysis and technique development.