In Situ/Operando Characterization of Complex Materials Employing Advanced Synchrotron-Based Techniques

Dear Colleagues,

The interest in the development of bimetallic catalysts is growing fast due to the important role played by these catalysts in the field of energy, environment, and industry. Bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts are promising because the synergy between two metals can lead to enhanced activity in catalysis or allow for bifunctional properties such as magnetic and plasmonic properties. Assessing the structure–activity relationship of these complex catalyst systems is a major challenge as there are several parameters affecting the measurements. With the increased sensitivity of modern synchrotrons and improved analysis methods, X-ray based methods have become a standard technique for the structural characterization of catalytic nanoparticles. Using high-energy X-rays, it is possible to conduct experiments under realistic reaction conditions, i.e., high temperature, pressure, and flow of reactants. To perform such in situ/operando time resolved experiments, portable cells and set-ups are designed based on various applications. Other than developing the in situ/operando reactor set-up to perform advance characterization of the bimetallic systems, the development of new theoretical as well as analysis methods is also required to understand the large amount of data recorded during experiments. Challenges that occur during such complicated time-resolved experiments, e.g., low sensitivity of characterization bulk techniques toward minority species or occurrence of several intermediate species during complex chemical transformations have led to sustained progress in the areas of experimental as well as theoretical methods. Application of enhanced experimental techniques combined with rigorous data analysis methods can provide information about the active sites of the bimetallic catalyst which would not be possible to gather with conventional characterization techniques/methods.

Submissions to this Special Issue are welcome in the form of original research papers which will cover in situ/operando characterization of bimetallic catalysts by employing advanced synchrotron-based techniques and rigorous data analysis methods to unravel the minute structural/phase changes occurring during catalytic reactions.

Dr. Abhijeet Gaur
Guest Editor

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• in situ
• operando
• bimetallic catalysts
• X-ray-based methods
• synchrotron radiation