Wojciech A. Sławiński

Chemical imaging of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts under operating conditions

Multimodal x-ray imaging techniques reveal insight into the structure-function relationships in cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Although we often understand empirically what constitutes an active catalyst, there is still much to be understood fundamentally about how catalytic performance is influenced by formulation. Catalysts are often designed to have a microstructure and nanostructure that can influence performance but that is rarely considered when correlating structure with function. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a well-known and potentially sustainable technology for converting synthetic natural gas (“syngas”: CO + H2) into functional hydrocarbons, such as sulfur- and aromatic-free fuel and high-value wax products. FTS catalysts typically contain Co or Fe nanoparticles, which are often optimized in terms of size/composition for a particular catalytic performance. We use a novel, “multimodal” tomographic approach to studying active Co-based catalysts under operando conditions, revealing how a simple parameter, such as the order of addition of metal precursors and promoters, affects the spatial distribution of the elements as well as their physicochemical properties, that is, crystalline phase and crystallite size during catalyst activation and operation. We show in particular how the order of addition affects the crystallinity of the TiO2 anatase phase, which in turn leads to the formation of highly intergrown cubic close-packed/hexagonal close-packed Co nanoparticles that are very reactive, exhibiting high CO conversion. This work highlights the importance of operando microtomography to understand the evolution of chemical species and their spatial distribution before any concrete understanding of impact on catalytic performance can be realized.

In situ solid-state NMR and XRD studies of the ADOR process and the unusual structure of zeolite IPC-6

The assembly–disassembly–organization–reassembly (ADOR) mechanism is a recent method for preparing inorganic framework materials and, in particular, zeolites. This flexible approach has enabled the synthesis of isoreticular families of zeolites with unprecedented continuous control over porosity, and the design and preparation of materials that would have been difficult—or even impossible—to obtain using traditional hydrothermal techniques. Applying the ADOR process to a parent zeolite with the UTL framework topology, for example, has led to six previously unknown zeolites (named IPC-n, where n = 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10). To realize the full potential of the ADOR method, however, a further understanding of the complex mechanism at play is needed. Here, we probe the disassembly, organization and reassembly steps of the ADOR process through a combination of in situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction experiments. We further use the insight gained to explain the formation of the unusual structure of zeolite IPC-6. The assembly–disassembly–organization–reassembly (ADOR) process has recently enabled the synthesis of unusual — and sometimes previously inaccessible — inorganic materials. Further insight into its complex mechanism has now been gained that explains the unexpected formation and structure of such a zeolite.

Triclinic crystal structure distortion of multiferroic BiMn7O12

The quadruple perovskite BiMn7O12 obtained via high-pressure synthesis was investigated by high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction over a temperature range of 10 to 295 K. Careful Rietveld analysis reveals triclinic lattice distortion of BiMn7O12 at 295 K, which increases upon cooling to 10 K. Also hkl-dependent anisotropic Bragg reflection shape was introduced to give a precise description of the diffracted intensities. Importantly BiMn7O12 crystal structure was described in the non-centrosymmetric I1 triclinic space group. We also demonstrate the use of irreducible representations analysis (ISODISTORT program) for crystal structure distortion from Im to I1 space group. The irreducible representation which describes crystal structure distortion points towards possible ferroelectricity. Finally anisotropic thermal lattice expansion was observed.

Thermal and Structural Aspects of the Hydride-Conducting Oxyhydride La2LiHO3 Obtained via a Halide Flux Method

Oxyhydrides, in which oxide and hydride anions share the same anionic lattice, are relatively rare compounds. La2LiHO3 belongs to this family. We report the synthesis of La2LiHO3 by means of an alkali halide flux method, which allows the production of larger quantities of material relative to the usually adopted synthesis routes. Powder X-ray and neutron diffraction studies show that La2LiHO3 adopts an n = 1 Ruddlesden-Popper (RP)-type structure with an orthorhombic distortion (Immm) due to hydride and oxide anion ordering. No sign of polymorphism is observed. La2LiHO3 is seen to decompose in an oxygen atmosphere at ∼450 °C into La2LiO3.5. We show that the high mobility of hydride anions close to the decomposition temperature is likely the main factor in inducing the oxidation. The crystal structure of La2LiO3.5 is also determined and takes an n = 1 RP-type structure with an orthorhombic distortion (Fmmm). This newly reported large-scale synthesis approach, combined with the proven high thermal stability, is a key factor for potential practical applications of this oxyhydride in real devices.

Calculation of pair distribution functions for multiphase systems

The total scattering method is becoming increasingly popular because of its ability to investigate the structures of disordered crystalline and amorphous materials. Also, in recent years, significant development of total scattering instruments and sample environments has allowed for the study of increasingly complex materials, including multiphase samples. The total scattering formalism has already been well described in the paper by Keen [J. Appl. Cryst. (2001), 34, 172–177] but it was limited to the single phase case. In the present paper the formulae for multiple phase samples (consisting of a physical mixture of two or more distinct phases) are derived for the calculation of pair distribution functions for analysis using reverse Monte Carlo and other methods. The equations for conversion between different representations of the pair distribution function are also provided.

Determination of Molybdenum Species Evolution during Non-Oxidative Dehydroaromatization of Methane and its Implications for Catalytic Performance

Mo/H‐ZSM‐5 has been studied using a combination of operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and High Resolution Powder Diffraction in order to study the evolution of Mo species and their location within the zeolite pores. The results indicate that after calcination the majority of the species present are isolated Mo‐oxo species, attached to the zeolite framework at the straight channels. During reaction, Mo is first partially carburized to intermediate MoCxOy species. At longer reaction times Mo fully carburizes detaching from the zeolite and aggregates forming initial Mo1.6C3 clusters; this is coincident with maximum benzene production. The Mo1.6C3 clusters are then observed to grow, predominantly on the outer zeolite surface and this appears to be the primary cause of catalyst deactivation. The deactivation is not only due to a decrease in the amount of active Mo surface but also due to a loss in shape‐selectivity which leads to an increased carbon deposition at the outer shell of the zeolite crystals and eventually to pore blockage.

Stacking faults type disorder in layered double hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are a broad group of widely studied materials. The layered character of these materials and their high flexibility for accommodating different metals and anions make them technologically interesting in a range of areas including catalysis, photocatalysis, gas sorption and separation, medicine, pigments, thermal barriers, polymer fillers, and fire retardants. The general formula for an LDH compound is [M1−xIIMxIII(OH)2][An−]x/n·mH2O, where MII is a divalent metal cation which can be substituted by an MIII trivalent cation, and An− is a charge compensating anion located between positively charged layers. Here we present a comprehensive study on possible structural disorder in LDH. We show how X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) can be used to reveal important features of the LDH crystal structure such as stacking faults, random interlayer shifts, anion−molecule orientation, crystal water content, distribution of interlayer distances, and also LDH slab thickness. All calculations were performed using the Discus package, which gives a better flexibility in defining stacking fault sequences, simulating and refining XRPD patterns, relative to other commonly used programs such as DIFFaX, DIFFaX+, and FAULTS. Finally, we show how the modelling can be applied to two LDH samples: Ni0.67Cr0.33(OH)2(CO3)0.16·mH2O (3D structure) and Mg0.67Al0.33(OH)2(NO3)0.33 (2D layered structure). The presented examples show how XRPD can be successfully used for both highly crystalline and very disordered materials. In summary, we present a novel way of modelling the structure function, F(Q), to provide a source of structural information for poorly crystalline and 2D flake-type samples of LDH.

A novel polytype – the stacking fault based γ-MoO3 nanobelts

γ-MoO3 nanobelts prepared by hydrothermal synthesis were studied by synchrotron radiation powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. Their nm dimensions, in particular in two crystallographic directions, have a profound influence on electrochemical properties during cycling as the cathode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The diffraction analysis shows clearly that the crystal structure for the γ-MoO3 nanobelts differs significantly from that of bulk α-MoO3. The observed powder diffraction pattern, with asymmetric peaks, extremely broad peaks, as well as additional or absent diffraction peaks, is fully described by means of a model based on stacking disorder of MoO3 slabs.