Methods
Home > Analytical instruments
Here is a description of our analytical material.
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Catalytic reactions are studied at atmospheric pressure using flow reactors. Quadrupole mass spectrometry, gas chromatography and chemiluminescence serve as analytical methods. Catalysts are characterised by Temperature Programmed Decomposition / Reduction / Oxidation (TPDec / TPR / TPO). Fast switching partial pressures allows chemical transients (CTK) to be measured and reaction mechanisms to be elucidated.
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Field Ion Microscopy (FIM) and atom-probe-Pulsed Field Desorption Mass Spectrometry (PFDMS) are applied to model catalytic reactions on small metal particles in the absence of a ceramic support. The course of catalytic reactions is imaged in real-time and on the nanoscale along with the determination of the chemical composition of the adsorbed layer. Surface structures are revealed with atomic resolution.
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Catalytic reactions are studied at pressures up to 100 bar using flow reactors ; a low-pressure reactor also enables the studying of surface reactions under dynamic pressure conditions down to the 10-6 mbar range.
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Scanning Force Microscopy (SFM) is applied to study tribological properties of materials under ambient conditions of pressures and temperatures. Measurements can be performed in the liquid phase using a Peltier element to control temperatures.
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Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (tof-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) allow the surface composition of solid materials to be determined. Measurements can be performed in a large range of temperatures from 77 K to 1100K. The SIMS/XPS analysis chamber is directly connected to a preparation chamber and a high-pressure reactor so that samples can be pre-treated as desired. Sample holders are designed to allow materials analysis to be performed with samples of varying consistency (powders, metal foils, polymers, etc...). Currently, a variable temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) is mounted to the same apparatus, allowing samples to be characterized for thier surface structure.
