Microstructural characterisation applications

Micro structures in heterogeneous catalysts are closely related to the catalytic properties. TEM and related microanalytic techniques are powerful tools in characterising catalysts at atomic level. The obtained structural information is essential to the understanding of correlations between microstructures and catalytic properties. In this lecture note, the general principle of characterization of catalysts by TEM is introduced and the applications on Pt/Si02 model system and on VPO catalysts are intensively described. 

Infrared spectroscopy is one of the most important tools used to characterise the chemical structure, composition and microstructure of different polymers [8-10]. In earlier chapters, the principles and applications of infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the characterisation of rubbers have been discussed. This chapter describes how IR spectroscopy can be used to characterise different types of chemically modified elastomers. 

Throughout the book numerous references are made to the available range of general purpose NMR spectroscopy texts. The reader should turn to these for a full introduction to solution and solid-state techniques and their application to chemical science. Alternatively, texts are available which treat NMR as one of the range of spectroscopies of relevance to polymer characterisation. The reader will also be made aware of some excellent works on specific aspects of polymer NMR, including microstructural determination and high-resolution solid-state methods. In a number of cases these would form a... 

Such a requirement makes it apparent that it is not simply the application of microstructural techniques that is important but that such microstructural studies have to be combined with careful determination of the hardening produced in neutron-irradiated samples. Here, single-variable experiments making use of controlled variation in steel composition in well-characterised irradiations in a MTR are key, see for example IVAR. " ... 

Applications of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to polymer characterisation and microstructure include studies on the zwitterions-type polymer, poly(3-diethyl methylmethacryloyl ethyl) ammonium persulfonate grafted on to a silica surface by treatment of poly(2-dimethyl amino) ethyl methacrylate [2], polyaniline coated glass fibre fillers with different polyaniline contents [3], and also studies on ultra high molecular weight blends [4] and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-gamma ferric oxide composite films [5]. 

Eighteen peer-reviewed Chapters are presented in this book. Each chapter has been written by a leading researcher of international recognition on MAX phases or UHTCs. This book is concerned with the synthesis, characterisation, microstructure, properties, modelling and potential applications of these ceramics in extreme environments. The synopsis of each Chapter is as follows ... 

Abstract This chapter discusses the research and development of porous ceramic membranes and their application as membrane reactors (MRs) for both gas and liquid phase reaction and separation. The most commonly used preparation techniques for the synthesis of porous ceramic membranes are introduced first followed by a discussion of the various techniques used to characterise the membrane microstructure, pore network, permeation and separation behaviour. To further understand the structure-property relationships involved, an overview of the relevant gas transport mechanisms is presented here. Studies involving porous ceramic MRs are then reviewed. Of importance here is that while the general mesoporous natnre of these membranes does not allow excellent separation, they are still more than capable of enhancing reaction conversion and selectivity by acting as either a product separator or reactant distributor. The chapter closes by presenting the future research directions and considerations of porous ceramic MRs. 

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