Understanding lab-based X-ray Absorption and its uses in catalysis with Dr Monik Panchal

When: 7 November 2024, 15:00 GMT
Where: online

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) is a technique used to study the oxidation state (chemical information) and local co-ordination environment (structural information) properties of a material. With it being element specific, non-destructive, and having variable spatial resolutions (depending on the instrument this can be at mm to sub-micron resolution), it can be valuable in understanding the working state of material.

Traditionally XAS has been exclusively performed at synchrotrons. However, over the last few years, lab based XAS has become a possibility and now has shown routine use in screening of materials without the need to synchrotron radiation. Recent advances in the hardware available (x-ray source power, optics, and detectors) have aided in the development of commercially viable laboratory x-ray absorption spectrometers (e.g. EasyXAFS300+, EasyXAFS ltd). Accessibility to lab based XAS proves advantageous in screening samples prior to synchrotron work as well as for conducting experiments not requiring the higher special resolution achievable at synchrotron sources.

The availability of conducting XAS in a lab-based environment opens the options when performing operando studies on multiple systems as well as long-term studies such as catalyst ageing. Though when performing these measurement certain considerations need to be made with the experimental set up to maximise the quality of the data collected.

Durham X-ray Absorption Facility (DXAF), house in the Chemistry Department at Durham University, acquired one of the first lab based XAS systems in the UK and has focussed its work on understand how it can be used to study materials under operation conditions. This service looks at samples from a variety of scientific communities and explores how lab based XAS can be used to aid the XAS community. More information can be found at https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/chemistry/about-us/services/dxaf/

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Biography:

Monik Panchal is currently the Technical Manager at Durham X-ray Absorption Facility (DXAF), Durham University. He completed an integrated master’s degree in chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at University of St Andrews in 2017 before transitioning towards materials chemistry, receiving a Ph.D. in Chemistry from UCL under the supervision of Dr Emma Gibson and Prof Richard Catlow working with Johnson Matthey, UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell, and Diamond Light Source. The thesis focused on multiscale imaging and in situ studies of gasoline particulate filters with an emphasis on using ex situ and operando XAFS studies at elevated temperatures (1000 °C). In 2022, Monik started his current role at Durham University where he aided in the development of the XAS facility and its day-to-day running. His current research interest includes operando XAS studies of various catalytic system using lab based XAS and the understanding of XES analysis towards materials chemistry.