| AVS 61st International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Novel Trends in Synchrotron and FEL-Based Analysis Focus Topic | Monday Sessions |
| Session SA-MoA |
| Session: | Synchrotron Studies of Processes in Energy Conversion, Electronic Devices and Other Materials II |
| Presenter: | Robert Palomino, Stony Brook University |
| Authors: | R. Palomino, Stony Brook University J. Magee, Stony Brook University P. Carrillo Sanchez, Stony Brook University M. White, Brookhaven National Laboratory and SUNY Stony Brook |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Rh-based catalysts are sought after for the conversion of syn gas (CO +H2) to higher oxygenates due to their C-C coupling capabilities, but are highly selective to hydrocarbons. Through the addition of promoters (Fe, Mn, Mo), the selectivity can be altered to oxygenates by varying mechanisms.[1] Fe and Mo in particular have been known to enhance ethanol and other C2+-oxygenates through the suppression of methane. Unfortunately, little is known of the structure of these promoted catalysts under reaction conditions. This work focuses on the atomic structure determination of Fe- and Mo-promoted Rh/TiO2 catalysts with varying promoter concentration. The atomic structure was monitored as a function of promoter concentration under reduced and CO hydrogenation conditions with synchrotron radiation at beamline X7B of the NSLS. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was utilized to elucidate the phase components in the catalysts, while Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis was used to determine the local atomic structure of the active components contained in the catalyst. By monitoring the evolution of phase and local atomic structure, we correlate the structure-selectivity relationship by direct comparison with selectivity measurements performed on the same catalysts.
1. Spivey, J.J. and A. Egbebi, Heterogeneous catalytic synthesis of ethanol from biomass-derived syngas. Chemical Society Reviews, 2007. 36(9): p. 1514-1528.