Exploring X-ray total scattering and pair distribution functions for local structure analysis of single-atom catalysts on polymeric supports
Materials Today Chemistry, vol. 47, pp. 102776
Abstract
The local structure analysis of low-loaded single-atom catalysts on polymeric supports conflicts with the detection limit of analytical methods due to the low metal contents (≤0.5 wt%) and the disordered character of the supports. However, understanding the structure on an atomic level is the precondition to draw structure-property-relationships. In this study, we demonstrate that X-ray total scattering and subsequent atomic (difference) pair distribution function analysis (dPDF) have the potential to contribute in that regard. Atomic pair correlations related to the coordination environment of highly dispersed metal centers as well as structural information of the polymeric support materials could be extracted. Different coordination environments of the isolated species depending on the metal precursor could be observed. In situ dPDF analysis allowed to track the dynamic behavior of initially site-isolated Pd species on exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride under reaction conditions making it a suitable method to study their stability. Complementary quasi in situ XPS analysis confirmed the observation of increasing Pd–Pd pair correlations by indicating the formation and growth of Pd clusters/nanoparticles during the course of reaction. We discuss the system feasibility, limitations of the method and benchmarking of measurement protocols providing practical guidance for sample preparation, measurement conditions and their impact on the data quality during the analysis of low-loaded single-atom catalysts.
Authors 10
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Forschungszentrum Jülich · Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
Department of Heterogeneous Catalysis, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim a.d. Ruhr, Germany
Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Marie-Curie-Str. 5, 52428, Jülich, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung
Affiliation as printed
Department of Heterogeneous Catalysis, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim a.d. Ruhr, Germany
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Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Affiliation as printed
DESY, FS-PETRA-D, P02.1, Notkestraße 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Forschungszentrum Jülich · Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Marie-Curie-Str. 5, 52428, Jülich, Germany
Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstr. 34-36, 45470, Mülheim a.d. Ruhr, Germany
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Claudia Weidenthaler corresponding
Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung
Affiliation as printed
Department of Heterogeneous Catalysis, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim a.d. Ruhr, Germany
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