EMU: Surface Characterization Laboratory for In-Situ/In-Operando Gas Adsorption/Dessorption Analyses

• Grant number: 23/17278-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Jose Mansur Assaf
• Grantee: Jose Mansur Assaf
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Luis Augusto Martins Ruotolo ; Luiz Henrique Vieira

Abstract

The precise characterization of surface properties of materials has always been an essential aspect of research conducted in various fields, such as gas capture and storage, separation processes, and heterogeneous catalysis. With advancements in characterization techniques, observing surface dynamics under relevant conditions for its application is now possible. Based on this, the present proposal aims to create a multi-user surface characterization laboratory at DEQ/CCET/UFSCar, providing ex-situ and in-situ analyses to the scientific community. This will be achieved by installing a gas physisorption analyzer to determine physical surface properties and an equipment to chemisorption of probe molecules with a gas analyzer to monitor their desorption or reaction at programmed temperatures. The application of controlled environments will enable the in-situ investigation of gas-solid interactions across a wide range of temperatures. This setup will cover a broad variety of possible experiments, which must serve several research groups. Properties, such as acidity, basicity, and metal oxidation states and distribution can be elucidated by combining the system with suitable probe molecules and a gas analyzer. Additionally, in-operando analysis can be carried out by measuring reaction rates, which is particularly important for surface-catalyzed chemical reactions. A gas physisorption equipment and a mass spectrometer, to be used as gas analyzer, are requested in this proposal. The mass spectrometer will be dedicated to a chemisorption equipment to be acquired in the FINEP project Ref. 2443/22, which is being contracted. (AU)