Mesoscale Characterization of Nanoparticles Distribution Using X-Ray Scattering

The properties of many functional materials depend critically on the spatial distribution of an active phase within a matrix or support material. In the case of solid catalysts, controlling the spatial distribution of metal (oxide) nanoparticles at the mesoscopic scale offers new strategies to tune their performance and enhance their lifetimes. However, such advanced control requires the development of suitable methods to characterize the spatial distribution of nanoparticles at the mesoscopic scale. Currently electron microscopy and more specifically electron tomography is close to being the only option. Here, we show how the background in x-ray scattering patterns can be analyzed to quantitatively access the distribution of metal nanoparticles within support materials displaying hierarchical porosity. Our approach is illustrated for copper catalysts supported on meso- and micro-porous silica, which display distinctly different metal spatial distributions. Results derived from the modeling of x-ray scattering patterns are in excellent agreement with electron tomography observations, while the amount of material being characterized at once is enhanced by twelve orders of magnitude. Our strategy opens unprecedented prospects to understand structure-property relationships and to guide the synthesis of advanced supported catalysts as well as a wide array of other functional nanomaterials.