CAT-ACT—A new highly versatile x-ray spectroscopy beamline for catalysis and radionuclide science at the KIT synchrotron light facility ANKA

Abstract

CAT-ACT-the hard X-ray beamline for CATalysis and ACTinide/radionuclide research at the KIT synchrotron radiation facility ANKA-is dedicated to X-ray spectroscopy, including "flux hungry" photon-in/photon-out and correlative techniques and combines state-of-the-art optics with a unique infrastructure for radionuclide and catalysis research. Measurements can be performed at photon energies varying between 3.4 keV and 55 keV, thus encompassing the actinide M- and L-edge or potassium K-edge up to the K-edges of the lanthanide series such as cerium. Well-established X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy in transmission and fluorescence detection modes is available in combination with high energy-resolution X-ray emission spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction techniques. The modular beamline design with two alternately operated in-line experimental stations enables sufficient flexibility to adapt sample environments and detection systems to many scientific challenges. The ACT experimental station focuses on various aspects of nuclear waste disposal within the mission of the Helmholtz association to contribute to the solution of one of the greatest scientific and social challenges of our time-the safe disposal of heat producing, highly radioactive waste forms from nuclear energy production. It augments present capabilities at the INE-Beamline by increasing the flux and extending the energy range into the hard X-ray regime. The CAT experimental station focuses on catalytic materials, e.g., for energy-related and exhaust gas catalysis. Characterization of catalytically active materials under realistic reaction conditions and the development of in situ and operando cells for sample environments close to industrial reactors are essential aspects at CAT.

Activating a Cu/ZnO : Al Catalyst – Much More than Reduction: Decomposition, Self‐Doping and Polymorphism

“…These findings are supported by Figure (c) illustrating the Cu K‐edge XANES spectra at different temperatures recorded at the recently installed CAT‐ACT beamline at the KIT synchrotron. The precatalyst shows a pre‐edge at 8978 eV (1 s to 3 d transition) and a shoulder at 8986 eV (see inset Figure c).…”

Differential uranyl(v) oxo-group bonding between the uranium and metal cations from groups 1, 2, 4, and 12; a high energy resolution X-ray absorption, computational, and synthetic study

“…The U M 4 edge HR-XANES and 3d4f RIXS spectra of the U V compound 7 (ZnI) and the U VI starting material A were collected at the INE-or CAT-ACT-Beamlines at the Karlsruhe Research Accelerator (KARA, previous ANKA), Germany, using a multianalyser Johann type X-ray emission spectrometer (ESI 2 †). 83,84 A 5 mg sample of each compound was mixed with 15 mg BN and pressed into a 7 mm diameter pellet, which was wrapped in Kapton lm, and then transferred to the inert gas cell for measurements under a He ush. Also, compounds dissolved in dry pyridine were studied and similar results were obtained.…”

Moving Frontiers in Transition Metal Catalysis: Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling

“…This knowledge, in turn, allows to detect alloy formation, to evaluate crystal structures of NPs and, in some cases, also to reveal their size and shape. As XAS is the technique of choice to measure working catalysts in an almost noninvasive way (i.e., it does not influence the target reaction), a dedicated beamline has been built at the KIT synchrotron source in Karlsruhe . Due to its importance, further XAS facilities with infrastructure established for in situ/ operando catalysis research include Synchrotron Catalysis Consortium (US), SuperXAS at Swiss Light Source and Swiss‐Norwegian beamlines at European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), DUBBLE and BM23 beamlines at ESRF, and SAMBA and ROCK beamlines at the SOLEIL synchrotron.…”