We have used high spatial resolution imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to differentiate mineralogical phases and to investigate chemical segregations in fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst particles. The oil industry relies on heterogeneous catalysis using these catalysts to convert heavy hydrocarbon fractions into high quality gasoline and fuel oil components. Catalyst performance is strongly influenced by catalyst microstructure and composition, with different chemical reactions occurring at specific types of sites within the particle. The zeolitic portions of the particle, where the majority of the oil conversion occurs, can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding silica-alumina matrix in analytical SIMS images.The University of Chicago scanning ion microprobe (SIM) employed in this study has been described previously. For these analyses, the instrument was operated with a 40 keV, 10 pA Ga+ primary ion probe focused to a 30 nm FWHM spot. Elemental SIMS maps were obtained from 10×10 μm2 areas in times not exceeding 524s.
