Site-selective XAFS: a new tool for catalysis research

Site-selective X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) experiments will become an important tool in the study of active sites and metal-support interactions in catalysis. Site-selective XAFS is possible with the detection of specific X-ray emission channels. Selectivity can be obtained for the valence or for the nature of the neighbouring atoms. This opens a wide range of new experiments, for example with valence-selective XAFS the difference in local structure of an element present with two valences can be studied. With site-selective XAFS the local surroundings of a metal in contact with oxygen or carbon can be differentiated from the local surroundings of all the other metal atoms.