Researchers shed new light on catalyst behaviour

Advancing Catalyst Research: Unveiling Mechanisms through Operando Spectroscopy . Catalysts play a pivotal role in facilitating chemical reactions that underlie essential industrial processes, from refining fuels to manufacturing pharmaceuticals. In a recent pioneering study, researchers from The University of Manchester at Harwell (UoMaH), in collaboration with counterparts from Diamond Light Source, University College London, the University of Sheffield, and the Department of Chemistry at The University of Manchester, have shed new light on catalyst behaviour using operando spectroscopic techniques. This innovative approach provides a deeper understanding of the catalyst, potentially revolutionizing the field through advanced understanding. Operando spectroscopy stands as a powerful technique allowing scientists to observe catalysts in real-time during reactions. Unlike traditional laboratory-based studies, this method captures catalysts in action under authentic conditions, providing previously unattainable insights. UoMaH researchers have taken this technique to the next level by designing experimental setups tailored to investigate catalysts functioning within liquid and gas phase reactors.