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Chemicals Research using the Diamond Synchrotron

Chemicals Research Using Diamond

Unravelling the chemical and electronic properties of compounds is a real challenge due to chemical heterogeneity, sample nature and sensitivity to various conditions (gas flow and composition, temperature, pressure). Operando studies on chemical processes is crucial to design new reactions and manufacturing processes and it provides fundamental insights into the science of chemistry.

Diamond provides specialist analytical techniques and a wide range of sample environments to make complete characterisations of various materials at different physical states and understand structure-function relationships.

Organic Chemistry

Understanding the mechanism of selective olefin oligomerisation catalysis using stopped-flow techniques;
Studies on organic porous cages used for hydrogen storage and carbon capture and storage;
Investigations on heavy metals complexes (phosphine ligands) used in chromophores that act as fluorescence quenchers in medical imaging.

Inorganic Chemistry

Studies on multiple phases of transition metal oxides used in catalysis and electrochemistry;
Investigations on lanthanide speciation in complexes used in separation & extraction of nuclear waste materials;
X-ray chemical imaging of individual catalyst particles;
Structural analysis of micro, meso and macroporous materials.

Physical Chemistry

Probing the atomic structure of the electrochemical double layer at the electrode and alkaline electrolyte interface;
Understanding the high temperature superconductivity in doped metal oxides of superconductors;
Characterisation of new semiconductor materials applied in industrial production processes.

Processing

Investigations of the lithium ion-battery cycling mechanism during charging/discharging;
Probing the formation of surface layers on anodes during operation;
Direct studies of the structure and interactions of catalysts with reagents under various environmental conditions e.g. three-way catalysts, fuel cells.

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Case Studies

Reducing wear and tear with effective lubricants

The Problem profilephoto

Effective lubrication has a significant impact on a number of applications ranging from human artificial joint implants to energy efficiency of internal combustion engines and the reliability of offshore wind turbine gearboxes. At low running speeds and high contact pressures the fluid film cannot be maintained and therefore effective lubrication is greatly influenced by the presence of chemical additives in the lubricant. These additives interact with the lubricated surfaces to form nanoscale tribofilms that reduce both material wear and energy losses due to friction. Understanding the mechanisms by which these tribofilms form is essential for development and optimisation of the next generation environmentally friendly effective lubricants, materials and tribological systems.

Looking at platinum speciation in three way catalysts

The Problem profilephoto

Platinum group metals play a crucial role in a variety of applications and in particular for a host of catalytic applications. The largest application is currently in vehicle emission control (VEC) catalysts to efficiently reduce particulate matter, CO, NOx and hydrocarbons. This type of catalytic system is diverse and complex and generally contains 0.1-1 wt% active metal deposited on a thermally stable structural support. Therefore, applying a wide range of techniques is essential to fully understand these complex catalytic materials.

Sasol uses microreactor sample environment for catalysis research

The Problem profilephoto

A proper understanding of structure-property relationships plays a central role in the design and discovery of novel materials. In many cases, exploring the relationship between the structure of a new material and its physical and chemical properties requires that measurements are carried out under exactly the same in situ conditions of temperature, pressure and atmosphere as the performance environments of the material of interest.

Controlling crystallisation in fuels and biofuels

The Problem profilephoto

The “freezing” of diesel fuel in winter has been a problem since its inception. Wax crystals nucleate and grow and block fuel lines and filters which can lead to vehicle failures and motorists being stranded. Additives are used to control these crystals but, over recent years, the use of biofuels (fatty acid methyl esters) within diesel blends has become increasingly common. This can adversely affect the low temperature operability of the fuel. Legislation demands that biofuels are part of diesel blends throughout the EU, with levels expected to increase.

Pitting corrosion – looking into industrial processes using time-resolved in situ studies

The Problem profilephoto

”Corrosion resistant” metals are used in challenging environments and where safety is critical, such as in pipelines, aircraft and nuclear waste storage vessels. But it is precisely these materials that are vulnerable to a form of corrosion known as pitting. Understanding of the mechanisms by which these pits form and propagate may allow engineers to build more accurate models of corrosion to predict the lifetime of components and plan when they need inspecting or replacing.

Methanol production from biomass

The Problem profilephoto

Catalytic production of methanol is an industrially important process and this high-energy density liquid is widely used in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic fibres, and in fuel cells. Currently, methanol is synthesized on a large scale using natural gas from an energy-inefficient process, which requires an endothermic, and therefore thermally intensive, step to completely break down the methane to CO/H₂ before methanol can be formed. Scientists from the University of Oxford were keen to explore an alternative non-syn-gas route for methanol production utilising ethylene glycol (EG) which can be sourced from biomass.

Metal-organic frameworks for hydrogen storage

The Problem profilephoto

Using current technologies, it is possible to store and transport hydrogen as a liquid at very low temperatures, or a gas under very high pressure, but both of these have serious implications for weight, cost and safety. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are extended molecular structures constructed from metal cations linked by organic molecules. They have recently shown considerable promise in a wide range of applications, including hydrogen storage, catalysis and drug delivery.