Operando spectroscopic investigation of supported metal oxide catalysts by combined time-resolved UV-VIS/Raman/on-line mass spectrometry

A novel experimental set-up for characterizing supported metal oxide catalysts under working conditions has been developed. The set-up combines product analysis using on-line mass spectrometry ( MS) with catalyst characterization by time-resolved operando UV-VIS and Raman spectroscopy. The potentials of this approach are illustrated by the propane dehydrogenation over a chromium oxide on alumina catalyst. It is demonstrated that these spectroscopic techniques give valuable complimentary information on the changing catalyst performance during successive propane dehydrogenation operating cycles.