Operando Electron Microscopy Study of Cobalt‐based Fischer‐Tropsch Nanocatalysts

In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy to Study the Location and Distribution Effect of Pt on the Reduction of Co3 O4 -SiO2

The addition of Pt generally promotes the reduction of Co3 O4 in supported catalysts, which further improves their activity and selectivity. However, due to the limited spatial resolution, how Pt and its location and distribution affect the reduction of Co3 O4 remains unclear. Using ex situ and in situ ambient pressure scanning transmission electron microscopy, combined with temperature-programmed reduction, the reduction of silica-supported Co3 O4 without Pt and with different location and distribution of Pt is studied. Shrinkage of Co3 O4 nanoparticles is directly observed during their reduction, and Pt greatly lowers the reduction temperature. For the first time, the initial reduction of Co3 O4 with and without Pt is studied at the nanoscale. The initial reduction of Co3 O4 changes from surface to interface between Co3 O4 and SiO2 . Small Pt nanoparticles located at the interface between Co3 O4 and SiO2 promote the reduction of Co3 O4 by the detachment of Co3 O4 /CoO from SiO2 . After reduction, the Pt and part of the Co form an alloy with Pt well dispersed. This study for the first time unravels the effects of Pt location and distribution on the reduction of Co3 O4 nanoparticles, and helps to design cobalt-based catalysts with efficient use of Pt as a reduction promoter.

Operando Electron Microscopy of Catalysts: The Missing Cornerstone in Heterogeneous Catalysis Research?

Heterogeneous catalysis in thermal gas-phase and electrochemical liquid-phase chemical conversion plays an important role in our modern energy landscape. However, many of the structural features that drive efficient chemical energy conversion are still unknown. These features are, in general, highly distinct on the local scale and lack translational symmetry, and thus, they are difficult to capture without the required spatial and temporal resolution. Correlating these structures to their function will, conversely, allow us to disentangle irrelevant and relevant features, explore the entanglement of different local structures, and provide us with the necessary understanding to tailor novel catalyst systems with improved productivity. This critical review provides a summary of the still immature field of operando electron microscopy for thermal gas-phase and electrochemical liquid-phase reactions. It focuses on the complexity of investigating catalytic reactions and catalysts, progress in the field, and analysis. The forthcoming advances are discussed in view of correlative techniques, artificial intelligence in analysis, and novel reactor designs.