Spectroscopic characterization of heterogeneous catalysts

Abstract

Transition metal ions - elements with a partially filled d shell - on surfaces of inorganic oxides possess a wide variability in oxidation state, coordination number and molecular structure. This variability forms the basis for their diverse chemical behavior, which is especially important in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. The characterization of supported transition metal ions is a very demanding job, which requires the use of a battery of advanced preferably in situ spectroscopic techniques.