From Spectra to Mechanism: Using DRIFTS to Understand CO₂ Catalysis
Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) is a powerful technique for investigating catalyst surface chemistry under reaction conditions. In this live webinar, subject matter specialists from Michigan State University, Specac, and Thermo Fisher Scientific will discuss how in situ DRIFTS can be used to study dry reforming of methane over ceria-supported catalysts and provide insight into the surface species and reaction intermediates involved in catalytic CO₂ utilization.
The session will explore DRIFTS experimental setup considerations, approaches for relating spectral observations to catalyst behavior, and examples of how researchers use in situ spectroscopy to investigate CO₂ activation and metal-support interactions. Presenters will also discuss complementary characterization techniques, including CO-DRIFTS, CO₂-DRIFTS, and CO₂-TPD-DRIFTS, and their role in catalyst research workflows.
Attendees will be able to gain practical knowledge that can help strengthen catalyst characterization strategies, support experimental design, and improve interpretation of catalyst behavior in heterogeneous catalysis research.
Key takeaways
By attending this webinar, you can learn several aspects about this specific method of analysis:
- Apply in situ DRIFTS to investigate catalyst surface chemistry under reaction conditions
- Monitor adsorbed species and reaction intermediates during dry reforming of methane
- Relate spectral observations to catalyst behavior and reaction mechanisms
- Investigate CO₂ activation and metal-support interactions in ceria-supported catalyst systems
- Evaluate when to use complementary techniques such as CO-DRIFTS, CO₂-DRIFTS, and CO₂-TPD-DRIFTS
- Incorporate DRIFTS into catalyst characterization workflows to support more informed research and development decisions.
Who should attend
- Catalysis researchers
- Materials scientists
- Surface scientists
- FTIR and vibrational spectroscopy users
- Academic researchers studying heterogeneous catalysis
- Scientists involved in catalyst development and characterization
- Researchers working in CO₂ utilization, carbon management, and sustainable catalysis
Presenter: Md Monir Hossain, PhD Candidate, Michigan State University
Researcher focused on heterogeneous catalysis, carbon utilization, and DRIFTS studies of ceria-supported catalysts for dry reforming of methane.
Presenter: Jim Delaney, Applications Team Lead, Specac
Leader of global spectroscopy application development and customer engagement efforts, supporting advanced research and industrial spectroscopy workflows.
Presenter: Lena Woodis, PhD Product Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Vibrational spectroscopy veteran with more than 15 years of experience in chemical instrumentation, FTIR spectroscopy, and analytical technologies.
