Spectro-BCDI of single bi-metallic catalytic nanoparticles during in-situ annealing

Heterogeneous catalysts based on nickel–iron (NiFe), platinum–palladium (PtPd), and platinum–nickel (PtNi), and alloys are known to exhibit high activity and selectivity for various catalytic reactions, including CO₂ hydrogenation, CO/NH₃ oxidation, and other hydrogenation reactions. Fundamental questions remain regarding how individual alloy nanoparticles (NPs) evolve structurally and chemically under high-temperature conditions and reactive environments. Here, we propose to investigate the real-time structural (lattice strain, defects, facets, and morphology) and chemical (composition and oxidation states) dynamics of these catalysts using operando spectroscopic Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (spectro-BCDI). By focusing initially on the annealing step up to 650 °C, we aim to establish how each alloy’s intrinsic structure and chemistry change under reaction temperature conditions. CO2 hydrogenation if time permits.