Tiny Particles, Big Surprises: The Unexpected Complexity of Catalysts — At TU Wien, scientists use |
Catalysis under the microscope. TU Wien researchers using advanced microscopy techniques have discovered intricate complexities in catalyst behavior. The study found that factors such as particle size, support material nature, temperature, and reactant pressures play crucial roles in catalytic activity. The discovery of significant local variation within individual catalyst particles will inform future research into more complex processes and the development of improved catalysts.
Catalysts composed of tiny metal particles play an important role in many areas of technology – from fuel cells to the production of synthetic fuels for energy storage. The exact behavior of catalysts depends, however, on many fine details and their interplay is often difficult to understand. Even when preparing exactly the same catalyst twice, it often occurs that these two will differ in minute aspects and therefore behave very differently chemically.
In doing so, it appeared that even relatively “simple” catalytic systems were more complex than expected. For example, it is not only the size of the employed metal particles or the chemical nature of the support material that defines the catalytic properties. Even within a single metal particle, different scenarios can prevail on the micrometer scale. In combination with numeric simulations, the behavior of different catalysts could then be explained and correctly predicted.
“The catalyst is made from supported rhodium particles, but it does not behave like a uniform object which can be described by a few simple parameters, as often tried in the past,” highlights Günther Rupprechter. “It soon became clear, that the catalytic behavior strongly varies at different catalyst locations. A given area on a given rhodium particle may be catalytically active, whereas another one, just micrometers away, may be catalytically inactive.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
These Air Purifiers Could Reduce Particles From Smoke or Smog By Up to 85 PercentLooking to improve the air quality in your home? Rid your space of harmful smoke, smog, mold and allergens with these air purifiers with high-quality filtration
Read more »
The Weirdest Particles in the UniverseNeutrinos are bizarre and ubiquitous and may just break the rules of physics
Read more »
Sydney Sweeney Wore a Tiny Micro Miniskirt With Ruffles on Each SideSee Sydney Sweeney's best outfits, from street style and Instagram selfies to red-carpet-worthy events — for which she works with stylist Molly Dickson.
Read more »
Charlie Wilson Takes the 'Tiny Desk' to ChurchSoul and R&B legend Charlie Wilson delivered a delightful, career-spanning set in the latest installment of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.
Read more »
Texas Legislative Session Saw Tiny Victories for Cannabis ReformMarijuana reform advocates say this year's results offered a mixed bag, but there's some hope for the future.
Read more »
New Yorkers vie for tiny apartment with no bathroom for $2,350/monthHow a 77-square-foot apartment with no bathroom for $2,350 a month sparked a bidding war: 'If you want to be on a prime block, you can't have everything'
Read more »