The Atomic AXAFS and XANES Techniques as Applied to Heterogeneous Catalysis and Electrocatalysis
X-Ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS) is an attractive in situ and in operando technique. In recent years, the more conventional extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data analysis technique has been complemented by two newer analysis methods: the 'atomic' XAFS (AXAFS) technique, which analyzes the scattering from the absorber atom itself, and the {Delta}{mu} XANES technique, which uses a difference method to isolate the changes in the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) due to adsorbates on a metal surface. With AXAFS it is possible to follow the electronic effect a support has on a metal particle; with {Delta}{mu} XANES it is possible to determine the adsorbate, the specific adsorption sites and adsorbate coverage on a metal catalyst. This unprecedented new information helps a great deal to unravel the complex kinetic mechanisms operating in working reactors or fuelcell systems. The fundamental principles and methodology for applying the AXAFS and {Delta}{mu} XANES techniques are given here, and then specific applications are summarized, including H adsorption on supported Pt in the gas phase, wateractivation at a Pt cathode and methanol oxidation at a Pt anode in an electrochemical cell, sulfur oxidation on Pt, and oxygenreduction on a Au/SnO{sub x} cathode. Finally, the future outlook for time and/or space resolved applications of these techniques is contemplated.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 1020019
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-95865-2011-JA; TRN: US201116%%3
- Journal Information:
- Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Vol. 12, Issue 21; ISSN 1463-9076
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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