UV Raman spectroscopic characterization of catalysts and catalytic active sites

Abstract

UV Raman spectroscopy has been demonstrated to be a powerful technique in catalysis because it can avoid the fluorescence interference occurring in visible Raman spectroscopy and concurrently enhance the Raman scattering intensity owing to the short wavelength of the excitation laser and resonance Raman effect. This article briefly reviews the recent advances in the study on heterogeneous catalysis by UV Raman spectroscopy, including the identification of isolated transition metal ions in molecular sieves, in situ study of zeolite assembly mechanisms and catalytic reaction mechanisms, and the monitoring of the surface phase transformation of metal oxide photocatalysts. UV (resonance) Raman spectroscopy, with the power of resonance enhancement for Raman signal and the advantage of high sensitivity for surface structure, coupling with in situ methodology, can provide the information about the active sites/phase and their assembling mechanisms, which are helpful for the understanding of heterogeneous catalysis and the rational design of highly active and selective catalysts.