Analysis of the Promoter-Catalyst interaction between Mn and Rh by Transmission Electron Microscopy
In the hope of optimizing the Fischer-Tropsch mechanism to produce cleaner ethanol, the catalyst- promoter interaction between rhodium and manganese was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Three samples were analyzed on a carbon nanotube (CNT) substrate with 3 wt% rhodium (3%Rh/CNT), 1% manganese with 3 wt% rhodium (1%Mn/3% Rh/CNT), and 2% manganese with 3 wt% rhodium (2% Mn/3% Rh/CNT). The average particle size were found to be (1.9 ± 0.6) nm, (2.1 ± 0.5) nm, and (3.2 ± 0.6) nm, respectively. An increase in particle size indicates that the rhodium and manganese are interacting. The lattice parameter for rhodium were also determined to be (4.1 ± 0.1) Å, (4.2 ± 0.1) Å, and (3.8 ± 0.1) Å, respectively. The decrease in lattice parameter in the 2%Mn/3%Rh/CNT sample was most likely due to a change in the crystal structure of the rhodium particles as a result of the interaction between the manganese and rhodium.