INSITU AND EXSITU TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY STUDIES OF HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSTS

Dynamic microstructural changes in heterogeneous catalysts under reaction conditions critically influence selectivity and activity. These changes are often metastable and can be usefully studied only by controlled environment techniques. A model platinum on silica catalyst (Europt-1) was studied and its reaction under various controlled environments noted with a view to determining its sintering behaviour. A mixed oxide catalyst, bismuth uranium oxide, was also examined and electron beam induced modifications have been observed.