Advances in small-angle X-ray scattering for the study of supported catalysts

Ru particle sizes in supported ruthenium catalysts have been studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). It has been proposed to use new masking liquids with a relatively low X-ray radiation absorption. Using these liquids it was possible to achieve practically quantitative agreement between SAXS and transmission electron microscopy data. The SAXS technique employing such masking liquids can be used as a quick analytical method for determining the particle size distributions of supported metals. Fluorocarbon liquids can eliminate the scattering signal from any support with a density of 2.5 g cm^-3 or less. This procedure can be very useful for selective study of separate components in complex samples consisting of carbon materials, silica materials, polymers, some hydroxides, clays etc.