Voronoi cells: An interesting and potentially useful cell model for interpreting the small-angle scattering of catalysts

A structural model, based on Voronoi polyhedral cells partly filled with support and metallic catalyst, is proposed for interpreting the small-angle X-ray scattering of heterogeneous catalysts. The model's properties are described, and the model is applied to porous Al₂O₃ and Pt/porous Al₂O₃. Surface areas calculated from the X-ray data by means of the statistical geometry of Voronoi tesselations are found in good agreement with those determined by BET (Brunauer, Emmett & Teller) adsorption methods.