CHARACTERIZATION OF CATALYSTS BY RAMAN-SPECTROMETRY

Raman spectroscopy, like infrared spectroscopy, is a vibrational analysis technique used for examining molecules and crystals. This article gives some examples of applications of this technique in various areas of heterogeneous catalysis. It serves to characterize catalyst solids and the entities adsorbed on their surface. The information gathered is complementary to what is obtained by other analysis techniques. The sensitivity of the method for detecting slightly overlapping entities can be improved by taking advantage of an intrinsic resonance phenomenon of the adsorbate or surface. Technological developments seem to be leading to in-situ analyses of catalytic reactions.