HERFD XAS/ATR-FTIR batch reactor cell.

An autoclave reactor was modified to perform simultaneously high energy resolution fluorescence detected X-ray absorption spectroscopy (HERFD XAS) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy measurements without altering the reactor design. This operando cell allows one to follow changes in the electronic and geometric structure of the catalyst with HERFD XAS and relate them to the simultaneously detected activity and reaction species with ATR-FTIR formed during the reaction in the liquid phase. The capability of the cell is demonstrated by two studies. The first shows the reduction of Au/CeO(2) precursors in different solvents. The second shows that mainly Au(0) is present in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene over Au/CeO(2).

In situ infrared monitoring of the solid/liquid catalyst interface during the three-phase hydrogenation of nitrobenzene over nanosized Au on TiO2.

The three-phase hydrogenation of nitrobenzene catalysed by nanosized gold over titania was investigated in a slurry. Simultaneous in situ ATR-FTIR monitoring of the liquid phase and at the solid/liquid catalyst interface identified the species adsorbed on the catalyst and those in the liquid phase during the reaction. Nitrosobenzene was not detected analytically while the spectroscopic measurements strongly indicated phenylhydroxylamine as an intermediate reacting before desorbing from the catalyst surface. Under the same reaction conditions, azobenzene and hydrazobenzene were identified as intermediates during the hydrogenation of azoxybenzene to aniline. When nitrosobenzene or phenylhydroxylamine was alternately fed as reactant, azoxybenzene was produced via a disproportionation route. With the former, azoxybenzene was not further reduced by hydrogen because nitrosobenzene deactivated the catalyst. Combined with H(2) uptake, the spectroscopic measurements provided new insights into the reaction mechanism of the gold catalysed hydrogenation of nitrobenzene and an update of the corresponding kinetics.

Evaluation of Pt and Re oxidation state in a pressurized reactor: difference in reduction between gas and liquid phase.

Determination of metal oxidation state under relevant working conditions is crucial to understand catalytic behaviour. The reduction behaviour of Pt and Re was evaluated simultaneously as a function of support and solvent in a pressurized reactor (autoclave). The bimetallic catalysts are used in selective hydrogenation of carboxylic acids and amides. Gas phase reduction reduced the metals more efficiently, in particular Pt.

Molecular approaches towards mixed metal oxides and their behaviour in mixed oxide support Au catalysts for CO oxidation.

We herein report a water-based sol-gel approach towards porous mixed Si/Ti oxides using co-precipitated glycol-modified precursors. By adjusting synthesis parameters such as the pH value and the Si/Ti ratio of the precursor, the morphology as well as the Si/Ti-composition of the resulting mixed oxide particles can be varied in a wide range. The behaviour of the mixed oxides as substrates for Au catalysts and the performance of the resulting catalysts in the CO oxidation reaction was investigated and compared to catalysts supported on mesoporous anatase and rutile synthesized analogously. For comparable Au particle sizes and Au loadings, the composition of the mixed oxide support was found to significantly affect the reactivity and reaction behaviour, with mixed oxide supported Au catalysts synthesized at pH=5 or 10 and with a Si/Ti-ratio of 1:19 and 1:34 exhibiting the maximum activity. In contrast to the enhanced activity, the mixed oxide supports do not lead to a significant improvement in deactivation behaviour and catalyst stability.