Towards catalytic measurements of single nanoparticles in situ

The aim of much modern catalysis research is to develop new catalysts, which can be utilized to convert excess green electricity to chemical energy. In pursuit of this goal, the composition and configuration of catalytically active nanoparticles are optimized to obtain the ideal catalyst. However, with presently available methods, it is not possible to measure the catalytic activity of single nanoparticles.

Instead, the chemical activity of ensembles of nanoparticles is investigated, making it difficult to establish the true correlation between nanoparticle morphology and activity. If catalysts with extraordinary activities exist within these investigated ensembles, it is not likely that they will ever be discovered.

Thus, there is a need for the development of a tool with which the catalytic activity of single nanoparticles can be studied. This thesis describes a newly developed device with which the absolute and partial pressure of miniature cavities can be investigated. Exploiting this, the activity of single nanoparticles could potentially be investigated.

To enable studies of the catalytic activity of single nanoparticles, a new method for isolating a single nanoparticle in a cavity has been developed. With the device, presented in this thesis, the field of catalysis is gaining a tool, which potentially can provide invaluable aid in the search for new catalytic nanoparticles enabling the transition to a sustainable society.