BESSY II: New sample environment allows glimpse into thermocatalytic processes
A novel measurement cell allows, for the first time, soft and hard X-ray investigations under pressures of up to 20 bar and temperatures of up to 400°C. This provides new insights into thermocatalytic ...
A novel measurement cell allows, for the first time, soft and hard X-ray investigations under pressures of up to 20 bar and temperatures of up to 400°C. This provides new insights into thermocatalytic processes, such as Fischer–Tropsch synthesis for producing synthetic fuels. The development of the measurement cell is considered a significant achievement within the Care-O-Sene project. The findings are published in the journal Photon Science.
Built for realistic reaction conditions
The innovative measurement cell enables in situ/operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements under high pressures and temperatures for the first time. The cell is suitable for use in both the soft and tender/hard X-ray energy ranges and was designed for the "Operando Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy" (OÆSE) endstation in the Energy Materials In-situ Laboratory Berlin (EMIL) at the BESSY II synchrotron facility. The setup enables the investigation of catalytic gas-solid reactions under realistic operating conditions of up to 20 bar and 400°C.
"Many industrially important catalytic reactions take place under such conditions, for example Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, which is used worldwide to produce hydrocarbons," says Dr. Athanasios Skaltsogiannis, a postdoctoral researcher in the Care-O-Sene project working on the team of Professor Marcus Bär.
Soft X-rays face tougher limits
Dr. Catalina Jimenez, who scientifically coordinates the Care-O-Sene activities at HZB, emphasizes, "This development is a significant milestone, particularly for soft X-rays, as soft X-rays are significantly more attenuated in solids and highly pressurized gases than tender/hard X-rays." As a result, soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies have so far been limited to atmospheric pressure or slightly higher pressures. However, XAS measurements using soft X-rays offer detailed insights into the chemical and electronic properties of samples containing elements such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, or transition metals.
The team, which also involved colleagues from HZB's sample environment group and the chair of Chemical Technology and Catalysis at KIT, describes the design of the new sample environment and demonstrates its operation by measuring the redox reaction of a Co/Mn thin film. With this newly developed measurement cell, it is now possible to investigate many industrially relevant catalytic processes under realistic conditions.
More information
Athanasios Skaltsogiannis et al, In Situ/Operando Soft- and Hard-XAS Cell Enabling the Investigation of Thermal Catalytic Reactions at Pressures of up to 20 bar, Photon Science (2026). DOI: 10.1021/photonsci.6c00017
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Citation: BESSY II: New sample environment allows glimpse into thermocatalytic processes (2026, July 15) retrieved 16 July 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-07-bessy-ii-sample-environment-glimpse.html
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