PNNL

Abstract

A novel prototype high throughput operando (OHT) reactor designed and built for catalyst screening and characterization is presented in this article. For the first time, this OHT reactor integrates Fourier Transformation infrared (FT-IR) imaging technique and Raman spectroscopy in operando conditions. Using a focal plane array (HgCdTe FPA, 128?128 pixels, and 1,675 Hz frame rate) detector for the FT-IR imaging system, we are able to simultaneously follow the catalyst activity and selectivity of all parallel reaction channels. Each set of image data has 16, 384 IR spectra with a spectral range of 900-4000 cm-1 in an 8 cm-1 resolution. It only takes 2-20 second, depending on signal to noise ratio, to collect a full image of all reaction channels. Results on reactant conversion and product selectivity are obtained from FT-IR spectral analysis. Six home-designed Raman probes, one for each reaction channel, are used for simultaneous collection of Raman spectra of all catalysts and possible reaction intermediates on the catalyst surface under real reaction environment. As a model system, methanol partial oxidation reaction on silica supported molybdenum oxide (MoO3/SiO2) catalysts under different reaction conditions has been studied to show the performance of the OHT reactor.