Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis 101 11TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON CATALYSIS - 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Recent governmental sponsored studies in both the US and Europe haverecognized the vital role of catalytic technologies for sustainable economic growthin the future. For example, it has been estimated that in developed countriescatalysis contributes directly and indirectly through processes and products to some20-30% of GDP (Gross National Product). Furthermore, catalytic environmentaltechnologies such as automobile exhaust catalysts and the selective catalyticreduction (SCR) DeNOx systems in power plants have already significantlycontributed to the reduction of environmentally harmful emissions into the loweratmosphere.In addition, these studies have identified catalysis as not only being pervasivebut also offering significant scope for further innovative development of new andimproved technologies for environmentally acceptable processes and products in thefuture. The spectrum of process industries which are directly impacted by catalysisinclude for example, oil refining, natural gas conversion, petrochemicals, finechemicals and pharmaceuticals. Environmental catalytic technologies also play animportant role in emission control systems for power generation, fossil fuel driventransportation, oil refining and chemical industries

Spatially resolved in situ FTIR analysis of CO adsorption and reaction on Pt/SiO2 in a silicon microreactor

The design, fabrication and testing of a microreactor-FTIR imaging system is shown and used for the first time to demonstrate the ability to obtain in situ transmission FTIR analysis of working catalysts with both spatial and temporal resolution. MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) and microfabrication technologies were used to design and fabricate a microreactor with geometric and optical properties ideal for coupling with a high-throughput transmission FPA-FTIR system. CO adsorption and oxidation on Pt/SiO2 were used as a model catalyst system. Propagation of adsorbed species down the length of the microreactor was observed and fractional coverages were quantified during pulsed chemisorption experiments. The amount of adsorbed CO was also differentiated at different positions in the microreactor as a function of time during oxidation of the stored surface species