Visualizing Catalytic Dynamics Process via Synchrotron Radiation Multi-Techniques.

The importance of catalysts today as workhorses in most modern industrial fields cannot be downplayed. As a result, rational design and engineering of targeted catalysts have emerged as key objectives and are dependent on in-depth understanding of complex catalytic dynamics, such as phase transformation, structural reconstruction, electronic evolution, and differentiation in surface and bulk. The synchrotron radiation (SR) light sources with rich advanced experimental methods are being recognized as a comprehensive characterization platform, which could draw a full picture on such multiparameter-involved catalysis under actual working conditions. Herein, we summarize the recent progress of catalytic dynamics process studied by the means of various SR-techniques. In particular, the SR-based spectroscopic, scattering and imaging investigations on true catalysts are firstly introduced with the potential of in situ and operando characterizations. Apparently, the limitations from single SR-technique naturally prompt a simple combination of SR-techniques to better understand the whole catalysis process. Moreover, the discrepancies among various online testing facilities and batches of samples, along with random/systematic errors introduced by traditional intermittent/asynchronous measurement make it imperative to develop more prolific system, complementary of multiple SR-techniques for deep probing of dynamic catalytic processes from atomic, molecular and electronic levels. We believe that booming new light sources will further enrich the current multiple SR-techniques by offering more synchronous (Femto-microsecond time scale in the same experiment), fine (∼nm spatial resolution and ∼meV energy resolution) and real (actual atmosphere, pressure, temperature, etc.) catalytic conditions, and thus may realize the true visualization on future catalytic dynamic processes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.