In-situ spectroscopic investigations of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

目的本项目旨在通过近环境压力X射线光电子能谱（NAP-XPS表面敏感光谱技术）原位研究锰促进的钴氧化物催化剂的表面化学，以获得对用于费托反应（FT）的锰促进的钴氧化物催化剂的操作机制的新见解。特别是，锰掺杂已被证明对催化剂的活性和选择性有益，但其原因尚不清楚目标是：开发能够使用近环境压力XPS研究真实的商业FT催化剂的方法研究锰掺杂对催化剂还原的影响研究还原催化剂表面化学的演变对水的响应在NAP-XPS中原位进行Fischer-Tropsch反应，以阐明活性相的性质方法学生将使用NAP-XPS研究BP提供的催化剂样品。为了补充我们对这些材料的理解，学生还可以开发基于箔和/或蒸发薄膜的更简单的模型催化剂。其他补充表征可能包括但不限于：催化测试、红外光谱和拉曼光谱新的科学内容技术发展对非均相催化剂的机理理解通常远远落后于材料发现，这意味着大多数催化剂是通过试错法发现的。通过原位研究催化剂的表面化学，我们可以从根本上了解它们是如何工作的，这将有助于合理设计新的催化剂。开发NAP-XPS方法来原位研究催化剂是其中的一个重要组成部分，可广泛适用于各种催化系统了解费托工艺FT工艺将一氧化碳和氢气原料转化为合成化石燃料（汽油、柴油和煤油）。鉴于需要减少碳排放，这是一个有吸引力的提议，因为原料可以来自可再生资源，如生物质或城市固体废物-可能使“绿色”化石燃料成为可能。通过详细了解FT催化剂的工作原理来提高其选择性、稳定性和活性，可能是FT作为一种技术得到广泛采用的关键。

ObjectivesThis project aims to gain new insight into the mechanisms of operation of Manganese-promoted cobalt oxide catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction by using Near-Ambient Pressure X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (NAP-XPS surface sensitive spectroscopic technique) to study the surface chemistry of the catalyst in-situ. In particular, manganese doping has been shown to be benefical to the catalyst's activity and selectivity, but it is not well understood whyThe objectives are:Develop methodology to be able to study real commercial FT catalysts using Near-Ambient Pressure XPSInvestigate the effect of manganese doping on the reduction of the catalystInvestigate the evolution of the surface chemistry of the reduced catalyst in response to water exposurePerform the Fischer-Tropsch reaction in-situ in NAP-XPS to elucidate the nature of the active phaseApproachThe student will employ NAP-XPS to study catalyst samples supplied by BP. To complement our understanding of these materials, the student may also develop simpler model catalysts based on foils and/or evaporated thin films. Other complementary characterization may include but not be limited to: catalytic testing, Infrared Spectroscopy and Raman SpectroscopyNovel science contentTechnique development Mechanistic understanding of heterogeneous catalysts in general lags far behind materials discovery, meaning that most catalysts are discovered by trial-and-error. By studying the surface chemistry of catalysts in-situ, we can gain fundamental understanding of how they work which will allow the rational design of new catalysts. Developing NAP-XPS methodology to study catalysts in-situ is a vital component of this and could be broadly applicable to diverse catalytic systemsUnderstanding the Fischer-Tropsch processThe FT process converts a feedstock of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into synthetic fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel and kerosene). It is an attractive proposition in light of the need to reduce carbon emissions as the feedstock can come from renewable sources such as biomass or municipal solid waste - potentially enabling "green" fossil fuels. Improving the selectivity, stability and activity of FT catalysts via understanding in detail how they work could hold the key to the widespread adoption of FT as a technology.