Catalysis is at the heart of our modern chemical industry, driving 90% of chemical manufacturing processes. For instance, it is used in agriculture to make fertilisers, or to convert toxic gases into harmless ones. In catalysis research, scientists face important challenges: it is hard to measure how fast reactions happen, to identify intermediate products during reaction, and to connect lab experiments with real-life industrial conditions. This is because reactions in the lab scientists often use different pressures and simpler materials than those used in real-world applications.
Marie-Ingrid Richard’s newly granted project REACT, which stands for REvolutionising the use of coherent x-ray diffraction for structural crystallography Applied to CaTalysis, follows up on her previously ERC Consolidator grant CARINE (Coherent diffrAction foR a look Inside Nanostructures towards atomic rEsolution: catalysis and interface) and aims to study the behaviour of individual nanocatalysts involved in chemical reactions.
The REACT project aims to recreate catalysis at near-industrial conditions by integrating fast in situ non-invasive three-dimensional imaging of single catalysts with spectroscopy to achieve 3D nanospectroscopic imaging during catalysis. “We will integrate diffraction, imaging and spectroscopy of a single catalyst during operation in real conditions of temperature, pressure, while pushing the limits of both temporal and spatial resolution”, explains Richard.
A key aspect of the grant is the use of the Extremely Brilliant Source (EBS) at the ESRF, the European synchrotron and also the first high-energy 4th generation synchrotron source. “For me the EBS is a game changer, with its brilliance and high coherence. It is like opening a new window into the world of science and plays an indispensable role in my research”, says Richard.
The new capabilities of the ESRF, coupled with new charge-integrating detectors, will create the perfect scenario for the 3D study of both the chemistry and structure of nanocatalysts under realistic reaction conditions with unprecedented spatial, temporal and energy resolution.
Another key tool in the REACT project will be the state-of-the-art atomistic capabilities developed by Artificial Intelligence to reveal the dynamics of catalytic mechanisms, setting a new standard in the integration of computational and experimental sciences.
The project will shed light on the most relevant unsolved issues (activity, selectivity, reusability and sustainability) that limit the efficiency of today's processes like CO2 reduction, water electrolysis or photocatalysis and will open new horizons with outstanding impact in catalytic research.