Supported catalysts contain often only small amounts of active component(s) which renders their characterization difficult, particularly because they usually contain a substantial amount of water. Thermal analysis (TA) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) offers an interesting potential for characterizing such material, various steps of catalyst preparation as well as crucial properties of fresh and used catalysts can be investigated. Some examples illustrating the versatility of TA-MS in catalysis research, such as solid-state reactions occurring upon exposure of the precursors or catalysts to reducing, oxidizing or inert atmosphere, are presented in this study. The combined use of TA and MS allows in many cases a much more detailed interpretation of the observed phenomena than could be achieved by one of these methods alon
