Net Zero and Catalysis: How Neutrons Can Help

Abstract

Net Zero has the aim of achieving equality between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. There is widespread acceptance that for Net Zero to be achievable, chemistry, and hence catalysis, must play a major role. Most current studies of catalysts and catalysis employ a combination of physical methods, imaging techniques and spectroscopy to provide insight into the catalyst structure and function. One of the methods used is neutron scattering and this is the focus of this Perspective. Here, we show how neutron methods are being used to study reactions and processes that are directly relevant to achieving Net Zero, such as methane reforming, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, ammonia and methanol production and utilization, bio-mass upgrading, fuel cells and CO2 capture and exploitation. We conclude by describing some other areas that offer opportunities.

Neutron Scattering Studies of Heterogeneous Catalysis

“…There have been some excellent reviews ,− and book chapters ,,− on the application of neutron scattering to heterogeneous catalysis. Most of these have focused on a single technique, especially INS, with limited comprehensive reviews , on various neutron techniques.…”

“…There have been some excellent reviews ,− and book chapters ,,− on the application of neutron scattering to heterogeneous catalysis. Most of these have focused on a single technique, especially INS, with limited comprehensive reviews , on various neutron techniques. With the recent advancement of neutron sources, beamlines, and environmental reactor cell setups, neutron studies of catalysis have seen significant progress.…”

Molecular specificity in neutron imaging: the case of hydrogen adsorption in metal organic frameworks

“…On the other hand, neutron imaging based on incoherent inelastic interactions seems to be still a niche technique, 30 despite its application can provide a wealth of information on physical and chemical properties of materials. 31 Fig. 1 shows a simple example of how the energy-dependent scattering cross sections of hydrogen atoms in different materials can be markedly different, and how the assumption that hydrogen has a constant scattering cross section of ca.…”

Combinatorial neutron imaging methods for hydrogenation catalysts

“…However, the application of these methods on individual real-world samples is error prone, as various experimental factors can hardly be perfectly reproduced. 14,25 To specifically monitor the hydrogen species during the reaction, we took advantage of the large neutron scattering cross-section of hydrogen [27][28][29] compared to other elements. In addition, neutrons are not subjected to any optical selection rules, making them optimal for tracking reactions involving hydrogen or hydrogen-containing species.…”

“…To specifically monitor the hydrogen species during the reaction, we took advantage of the large neutron scattering cross-section of hydrogen 27–29 compared to other elements. In addition, neutrons are not subjected to any optical selection rules, making them optimal for tracking reactions involving hydrogen or hydrogen-containing species.…”