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Measuring Lattice Expansion in Catalytic Nanoparticles with Atomic Resolution by
Coherent Nanodiffraction


EMSL Project ID
45592

Abstract

Nanoparticles with a diameter of a few nanometer show fundamentally different catalytic behavior than particles with a few tens of nanometer [1,2,3]. Their activity is much higher and they are more selective for certain reactions. It can be assumed that a change in surface properties [4] is responsible for the superior catalytic properties of these very small particles. We intend to investigate the nature of the active sites by measuring the local atomic distances in particles of different size and in clusters. This complex task requires high resolution transmission electron microscopy, coherent nanodiffraction and extensive modeling and simulations. Therefore, it is necessary to start with a system which is as simple as possible. Metal particles in vacuum on an inert substrate fulfill this requirement. During the second stage of the proposed work NOx reduction will be investigated. Relating the derived structural information with the catalytic activity should shed light on the physical origin of active sites, such as the role of surface facets, presence of under-coordinated sites and strain.

Project Details

Start Date
2011-07-11
End Date
2014-07-20
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Bernd Kabius
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

Team Members

Eva Schachtl
Institution
Technische Universität München

Jennifer Hein
Institution
Technische Universität München

Ilke Arslan
Institution
Argonne National Laboratory

Robert Colby
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

William Shelton
Institution
Louisiana State University

Libor Kovarik
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Related Publications

Colby R, DH Alsem, A Liyu, and B Kabius. "A method for measuring the local gas pressure within a gas-flow stage in situ in the transmission electron microscope." Ultramicroscopy. doi:10.1016/j.ultramic.2015.01.002