NL Researchers Develop SpectroTAP to Improve Catalyst Understanding,

Catalysts power many everyday and industrial processes from fuel and plastic production to cleaning products by speeding up chemical reactions without being consumed. Yet, despite their importance, scientists have long struggled to study how catalysts behave and why they lose effectiveness over time.

To address this, researchers at Idaho National Laboratory, with support from the Department of Energy, have created SpectroTAP, a new tool that combines two techniques: Temporal Analysis of Products and operando spectroscopy. Together, these methods allow scientists to monitor both the chemical reactions and structural changes of catalysts in real time.

TAP measures how fast gases react on a catalyst’s surface, while operando spectroscopy uses light to reveal how the catalyst’s structure evolves during reactions. Together, they offer a clearer picture of catalytic behavior similar to watching both the ingredients transform and the chef's actions while baking.

INL’s Rebecca Fushimi, James Pittman, and Jason Malizia led the development. Malizia demonstrated SpectroTAP's ability to collect live data during reactions, providing insights into how to improve catalyst performance.

Tested with a commercial catalyst from Clariant Corporation (used to convert propane to propylene), SpectroTAP promises more durable, efficient, and cost effective catalysts for industry.

Future plans include integrating other spectroscopic tools like Raman and infrared to expand its capabilities. This breakthrough could lead to greener, more efficient industrial processes and lower costs for consumers.

Source: https://inl.gov/feature-story/inl-researchers-develop-new-technology-to-study-catalysts/?__cf_chl_f_tk=18kO3dfsu64OL2CyxLycEkV8sSxGBqrVMxa3eQ9nSH4-1753521979-1.0.1.1-L1j277Qd5zPI6FCb6xinmRAEX05ntSveSdlkWS1NYdw