Neutron Scattering Studies of Heterogeneous Catalysis

Understanding the structural dynamics/evolution of catalystsandthe related surface chemistry is essential for establishing structure-catalysisrelationships, where spectroscopic and scattering tools play a crucialrole. Among many such tools, neutron scattering, though less-known,has a unique power for investigating catalytic phenomena. Since neutronsinteract with the nuclei of matter, the neutron-nucleon interactionprovides unique information on light elements (mainly hydrogen), neighboringelements, and isotopes, which are complementary to X-ray and photon-basedtechniques. Neutron vibrational spectroscopy has been the most utilizedneutron scattering approach for heterogeneous catalysis research byproviding chemical information on surface/bulk species (mostly H-containing)and reaction chemistry. Neutron diffraction and quasielastic neutronscattering can also supply important information on catalyst structuresand dynamics of surface species. Other neutron approaches, such assmall angle neutron scattering and neutron imaging, have been muchless used but still give distinctive catalytic information. This reviewprovides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in neutron scatteringinvestigations of heterogeneous catalysis, focusing on surface adsorbates,reaction mechanisms, and catalyst structural changes revealed by neutronspectroscopy, diffraction, quasielastic neutron scattering, and otherneutron techniques. Perspectives are also provided on the challengesand future opportunities in neutron scattering studies of heterogeneouscatalysis.