In situ scanning transmission electron microscopy investigation of supported cobalt nanoparticle catalysts for green energy generation

该项目将专注于二氧化钛负载的钴基纳米颗粒催化剂，用于费托合成反应。这种反应正在试验工厂中使用，与使用油基前体的传统方法相比，从城市废物中产生燃料的碳排放量降低了80%。可持续的原料通常纯度较低，因此重要的是要了解使用中催化剂的机理和演变，以优化其在不同环境条件下的性能和寿命。透射电子显微镜（TEM）是为数不多的能够直接研究纳米颗粒催化剂结构和化学的工具之一，具有原子分辨率和元素灵敏度。这种表征也可以在TEM内使用原位气室技术在温度高达1000 ℃和压力高达1个大气压的反应条件下进行。该项目将应用先进的TEM成像和分析能力，以了解在活化过程中和费托催化的早期阶段用不同元素促进的钴基催化剂的演变。研究结果将为可持续能源应用的强大，可持续，选择性和高效催化剂的创造和再生提供信息。

The project will focus on cobalt based nanoparticle catalysts supported on titania, which are used for the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis reaction. This reaction is being used in a pilot plant to generate fuels from municipal waste with 80% lower carbon emissions compared to traditional approaches using oil based precursors. Sustainable feedstocks generally have lower purity, so it is important to understand the mechanism and evolution of the catalysts in use so as to optimize their performance and lifetime in differing environmental conditions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is one of the few tools able to directly study nanoparticle catalysts structure and chemistry with atomic resolution and elemental sensitivity. Such characterization can also be performed under reaction conditions using in-situ gas cell technology within the TEM for temperatures up to 1000 C and pressures up to 1 atm. This project will apply advanced TEM imaging and analysis capabilities to understand the evolution of Co based catalysts promoted with different elements both during activation and in the early stages of Fischer-Tropsch catalysis. The results will inform the creation and regeneration of robust, sustainable, selective and efficient catalysts for sustainable energy applications.