Structural Dynamics of Iron Molybdate Catalysts for Alcohol Selective Oxidation Using In Situ and Operando Spectroscopies and Diffraction (A02)

• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation ; Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 443703006

Iron molybdates are well-known as catalysts for the selective oxidation of methanol, whereas the role of their iron atoms is discussed controversial. Also, the oxidation of ethanol, particularly for a sustainable production of chemicals, is an important process. We will develop two operando setups in which Raman/XRD and Raman/Mössbauer are coupled under reaction conditions to identify the (iron-related) processes at the (sub )surface and bulk of iron-containing catalysts, and we will develop structure-performance reationships. The profound analyses in cooperation with other A projects will lead to a fundamental understanding of the role of iron in the selective oxidation of alcohols.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1487: Iron, upgraded!
• Major Instrumentation: IR spectrometer for quantitative gas-phase analysis ; Modified XRD cell and extension of diffractometer ; Movable Raman Spectrometer
• Instrumentation Group: 1820 Nah-Infrarot-Spektralphotometer ; 1840 Raman-Spektrometer ; 4010 Einkristall-Diffraktometer
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Darmstadt
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Barbara Albert; Professor Dr. Christian Hess; Professorin Dr. Ulrike Ingrid Kramm