Operando Laboratory-based Multi-edge X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy of Solid Catalysts

Abstract

Laboratory-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and especially X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) offers new opportunities in catalyst characterization and presents not only an alternative, but also a complementary approach to precious beamtime at synchrotron facilities. We successfully designed a laboratory-based setup for performing operando , quasi-simultaneous XANES analysis at multiple K edges, more specifically, operando XANES of mono-, bi-, and trimetallic CO 2 hydrogenation catalysts containing Ni, Fe, and Cu. Detailed operando XANES studies of the multi-element solid catalysts revealed metal-dependent differences in the reducibility and re-oxidation behavior and their influence on the catalytic performance in CO 2 hydrogenation. The applicability of operando laboratory-based XANES at multiple K edges paves the way for advanced multi-element catalyst characterization complementing detailed studies at synchrotron facilities.