The Challenge

Catalyst characterisation under real operating conditions provides a unique opportunity for industrial researchers to develop new, challenging materials for energy, chemistry and environmental technologies. Therefore, it is crucial to promote the expansion of effective and profitable collaborations and provide access to high technology facilities such as Diamond equipped with a range of customised sample environments.

The Solution

A gas flow reactor was recently developed and commissioned at Diamond. This sample environment is a generic cell with temperature control and gas mixing switching capabilities which covers a wide range of catalytic processes. This set up allows us to mimic operating conditions and, at the same time, give the flexibility to be able to study the catalyst's structural properties by a wide range of techniques. The reactor is compatible with combinations of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction measurements under time-resolved, in situ conditions.

The Benefits

The gas flow reactor has been successfully used by several industrial users in the field of catalysis. The set up was used to provide the ideal conditions for mimicking real industrial processes thereby aiding the development of new materials.