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Mesoscale Characterization of Nanoparticles Distribution Using X‐ray Scattering
Author(s) -
Gommes Cedric J.,
Prieto Gonzalo,
Zecevic Jovana,
Vanhalle Maja,
Goderis Bart,
de Jong Krijn P.,
de Jongh Petra E.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201505359
Subject(s) - mesoscopic physics , characterization (materials science) , materials science , scattering , microporous material , nanoparticle , mesoscale meteorology , nanotechnology , small angle x ray scattering , nanomaterials , porosity , phase (matter) , optics , physics , composite material , quantum mechanics , meteorology
The properties of many functional materials depend critically on the spatial distribution of an active phase within a support. In the case of solid catalysts, controlling the spatial distribution of metal (oxide) nanoparticles at the mesoscopic scale offers new strategies to tune their performance and enhance their lifetimes. However, such advanced control requires suitable characterization methods, which are currently scarce. Here, we show how the background in small‐angle X‐ray scattering patterns can be analyzed to quantitatively access the mesoscale distribution of nanoparticles within supports displaying hierarchical porosity. This is illustrated for copper catalysts supported on meso‐ and microporous silica displaying distinctly different metal distributions. Results derived from X‐ray scattering are in excellent agreement with electron tomography. Our strategy opens unprecedented prospects for understanding the properties and to guide the synthesis of a wide array of functional nanomaterials.