APPLICATIONS OF ADSORPTION MICROCALORIMETRY TO THE STUDY OF HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS

This chapter presents a survey of the theoretical and applied aspects of microcalorimetry to heterogeneous catalysis with particular emphasis on the determination of the acid–base properties of metal oxides and mixed metal oxides. Heterogeneous catalysis involves specific chemical interactions between the surface of a solid and the reacting gas (or liquid phase) molecules. The catalytic cycle is generally composed of adsorption steps, surface reaction processes, and desorption steps. The energetics of these surface chemical events plays an important role in determining the catalytic properties of the surface. Thus, the study of the adsorption of probe and reactive gas molecules onto surfaces is of primary importance in catalysis. The key to the effective utilization of microcalorimetry in heterogeneous catalysis is the judicious choice of gas-phase molecules for study. © 1992, Academic Press Inc. All rights reserved.