In Situ Observation of Model Catalysts under Reaction Conditions Using X-ray Core-Level Spectroscopy

Chemical reactions at solid surfaces are of great importance in heterogeneous catalysis and the understanding of their reaction mechanisms has been challenged for a long time by a wide variety of approaches. In situ observation of model catalysts under reaction conditions is a promising approach to understand the mechanisms. Toward this aim we have been developing several spectroscopic techniques using synchrotron-radiation X-rays. In this Personal Account, synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray core-level spectroscopies for in situ observation are introduced and some of their applications in studying the mechanisms of catalytic reactions are highlighted. Future directions for further development of these spectroscopies are also described. Synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray core-level spectroscopy is a powerful tool to observe heterogeneous catalysts under actual reaction conditions. The spectroscopic techniques that we have developed so far and their applications to in situ observation of catalytic reactions are described.