Multiscale imaging for the investigation of catalysts and zeolites
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
By being a member of the UK Catalysis Hub team this studentship offers exposure to leading UK academics and the advanced X-ray and Neutron characterisation techniques available on the Harwell campus. In addition, the student will work closely with the industrial partners, Johnson Matthey, therefore gaining insight into both academic and industrial research environments.
The project will make extensive use of the newly built physical sciences aberration corrected TEM facility (ePSIC) and I14 nanoprobe beamline facility at Diamond. These are powerful techniques able to study materials under working conditions over a range of length scales important in catalysis. For instance, pore collapse or particle agglomeration occur in the micrometer scale, whereas active site distribution may be on the nm scale. By exploiting the different length scales viewed by both the nm resolved in situ microscopy (TEM) and the X-ray capabilities of the 50 nm resolution I14 beamline, a thorough understanding of catalyst activity or deactivation processes can be visualised over a range of length scales under relevant working conditions.
The project will make extensive use of the newly built physical sciences aberration corrected TEM facility (ePSIC) and I14 nanoprobe beamline facility at Diamond. These are powerful techniques able to study materials under working conditions over a range of length scales important in catalysis. For instance, pore collapse or particle agglomeration occur in the micrometer scale, whereas active site distribution may be on the nm scale. By exploiting the different length scales viewed by both the nm resolved in situ microscopy (TEM) and the X-ray capabilities of the 50 nm resolution I14 beamline, a thorough understanding of catalyst activity or deactivation processes can be visualised over a range of length scales under relevant working conditions.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Richard Catlow (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Monik Panchal (Student) |
| Description | Johnson Matthey |
| Organisation | Johnson Matthey |
| Department | Johnson Matthey Technology Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Being involved with Johnson Matthey allows the opportunity to collaborate with industrial scientist. Further, this project involves the use of commercial materials (GPFs) and hence the results from this project directly influence the industrial understanding of these systems. Johnson Matthey also allow the opportunity to present findings at their annual academic conference. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provide input into the direction of the project and involvement during beamline time. |
| Impact | f |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | UK Catalysis Hub |
| Organisation | Research Complex at Harwell |
| Department | UK Catalysis Hub |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Being part of the Catalysis Hub allows for the opportunity to collaborate with other scientist within various disciplines of catalysis and also understand in great deal various advance techniques and teach other people the techniques used during this project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Hub is based at the Research Complex at Harwell with a program. Being based at the UK Catalysis Hub allows access to various lab based equipment and analytical techniques which would not readily accessible at other location. Also, being based at Harwell allows for communication with expert science in catalysis as well as other disciplines and departments based on site (such as the Central Laser Facility, ISIS Neutron Source and Diamond Light Source). |
| Impact | n/a |
| Start Year | 2017 |