Analytical methods
Our group makes an extensive use of the following characterization and analytical methods:
Characterization of catalysts
- X-ray diffraction: powder XRD, including in situ XRD applications
- Elemental analysis: ICP-MS, ICP-OES and XRF
- Infrared spectroscopy: Raman and attenauted total reflection-FTIR
- Thermal analysis: TGA
- Porosimetry and chemisorption: BJH and BET
- Surface analysis: XPS
- Electron microscopy: SEM and TEM
- Magnetic resonance: SS-NMR and SS-EPR
Characterization of reaction mixtures
- Chromatography: GC-MS, HPLC, HPLC-MS
- Magnetic resonance: 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and EPR, including variable temperature and under pressure
Research group facilities
- In situ XRD cell for the investigation of solid state phase transitions under a variety of oxidizing or reducing atmospheres (up to 10 bar and 900 oC)
- Chemisorption station for metal exposed fraction (via H2) and determination of acid sites (via NH3)
- Tube furnace for hydrogenations and hydrothermal synthesis (up to 2 bar and 1000 oC, under flows of: air, N2, H2/N2 or under vacuum)
- High pressure autoclaves for hydrothermal synthesis, and for chemical processes scale up (up to 200 bar and 250 oC)
- Ovens and muffles in static air (up to 1000 oC)
- Multi batch mid-low pressure reactors (up to 3 bar of: air, N2, O2 and 180 oC)
- Fixed bed catalytic reactor for liquid phase via peristaltic pump (2 bar inlet up to 180 oC)
- Ball mill for the grinding of silicates, glasses, cerramics and cements
- Computational cluster node (32 processors)
Conte Catalysis Group - University of Sheffield, UK 