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Recommendations for Improving Rigor and Reproducibility in Site Specific Characterization

Journal Article · · Journal of Catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis is driven by the interaction of reactant molecules and the catalyst surface. The locus of this interaction as well as the surrounding ensemble of atoms is referred to as the catalyst active site. Active site characterization attempts to distinguish active catalytic sites from inactive surface sites, to elucidate the structural and chemical nature of active sites, and to quantify active site concentration. Numerous techniques have been demonstrated to provide compositional and structural information about the active sites within a catalyst. However, each technique has its own limitations and experimental pitfalls that can lead to data misinterpretation or irreproducible results. This work aims to provide an overview of the types of data that can be collected, to outline common experimental challenges and how to avoid them, and to assemble relevant references for the most used active site characterization techniques. More broadly, we aim to outline best practices for researchers to collect, interpret, and report active site characterization data in a way that provides the most benefit to the broader catalysis community. Increasing the rigor and reproducibility of active site characterization offers a strategy to better link properties with catalytic performance and to enable the community to develop consensus concerning these relationships.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
2341271
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5100-88017; MainId:88792; UUID:4bf7d0ab-0134-4f0d-a1d4-1ec43346d027; MainAdminId:72466
Journal Information:
Journal of Catalysis, Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis Vol. 433
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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