A novel apparatus for operando rapid characterization on real reaction: design and application

Abstract Background: Heterogeneous catalysis plays an important role in current energy industry, which demands a deep insight of the catalysis mechanism. In most catalyst related studies, online characterization methods that can yield fast evaluation results and kinetics information under industrial reaction conditions are always desired. Purpose: A novel apparatus for operando catalytic characterization with high flexibility of controlling reaction conditions is introduced. Methods: It performs accurate temperature control from liquid nitrogen region to ∼500℃ and allows mass spectroscopy (MS) online characterization from atmosphere to high pressure. Results: The apparatus is applied for a temperature programmed desorption (TPD) staring from -150℃ on an Au/TiO₂ catalyst CO pre-adsorbed surface. Results show that the setup performs temperature control with good flexibility at low temperature. Conclusion: The apparatus combines features of both wide range temperature controlling and high sensitivity characterization under pressurized conditions, which makes it a powerful tool for understanding catalysis behavior under ambient or high pressure conditions. (authors)