Infrared thermography as an operando tool for the analysis of catalytic processes: How to use it?

Abstract

Infrared (IR) thermography is a powerful tool to measure temperature with high space and time resolution. A particularly interesting application of this technology is in the field of catal-ysis, where the method can provide new insights into dynamic surface reactions. This paper pre-sents guidelines for the development of a reactor cell that can aid in the efficient exploitation of infrared thermography for the investigation of catalytic and other surface reactions. Firstly, the nec-essary properties of the catalytic reactor are described. Secondly, we analyze the requirements towards the catalytic system to be directly observable by IR thermography. This includes the need for a catalyst that provides a sufficiently high heat production (or absorption) rate. To achieve true op-erando investigation conditions, some dedicated equipment must be developed. Here, we provide the guidelines to assemble a chemical reactor with an IR transmitting window through which the reaction can be studied with the infrared camera along with other best practice tips to achieve re-sults. Furthermore, we present selected examples of catalytic reactions that can be monitored by IR thermography, showing the potential of the technology in revealing transient and steady state chemical phenomena.