Expertise
Catalysts Characterisation
Metal Crystallite Size and Microstructure
Metal crystallite size is particularly important for supported metal catalysts and is usually directly related to catalyst activity. Approaches to measuring metal crystallite size include image analysis from electron micrographs. This is particularly useful for establishing a spatial model for the crystallites, e.g. whether or not they are clustered. XRD is able to sample much larger numbers of crystallites and provide crystallite size and size distributions by analysing the shapes of line profiles for each phase present. Crystallite size distributions can give much more information than mean sizes, e.g. for growth mechanisms. Other information on microstructure that can be obtained includes lattice distortion and faulting.
Samples can be provided under an inert blanket, passivated or reduced in-situ in our XRD rig. Metal crystallite size and microstructure can be studied at programmed temperatures and under different atmospheres. It is possible to transfer samples to TEM and/or surface analysis through high quality dry boxes.
Advice is available, so make the call +44 (0) 1642 435788 or email MSGenquiry@intertek.com
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