ICIQ

The Heterogeneous Catalysis Unit provides support to ICIQ researchers working on heterogeneous catalysis (gas phase reactions catalysed by solids). To this purpose, it comprises equipment for a wide catalyst characterisation and testing, including textural and reactivity studies, performance of the catalysts for different reactions at different operating conditions and mechanism elucidation of catalytic processes.

To that purpose, some state-of-the-art techniques for the catalysts characterization and testing are available in the unit:

- The TAP (Temporary Analysis of Products) is a cutting edge and not commonly found dynamic technique in which the reactants are pulsed into a catalytic microreactor under high vacuum. A mass spectrometer is located just at the reactor outlet, leading to a time resolution in the sub-milisecond scale. It is one of the most powerful tools in the elucidation of gas-solid heterogeneous reaction mechanisms and pathways. It has shown a great utility not only in the fundamental understanding of catalytic processes, but also in the resolution of problems at an industrial level (e.g. side-reactions minimization in the NH₃ oxidation for the production of nitric acid).

- The TPD/R/O (Temperature Programmed Desorption/Reduction/Oxidation) and pulse chemisorption are a group of techniques that allow studying the reactivity or affinity of the catalyst active sites with reactive molecules contained in a gas stream.

DR. MIGUEL GONZÁLEZ HEVIA UNIT MANAGER | contact |

Management and definition of the unit and the equipment. Development of new applications in close collaboration with the researchers. Technical support and training of new users.