New crystallography technique for monitoring real time reactions

17 Jun 2002

University of Houston chemistry professor Wayne Rabalais and two of his graduate students have developed a totally new dynamic crystallography technique for monitoring surface structure and chemical reactions on surfaces. This technique, called Scattering and Recoiling Imaging Spectrometry (SARIS), offers much potential for studying catalysis, semiconductor surfaces and corrosion.

By capturing images of ions in flight, Rabalais and his team are now able to follow chemical reactions at a surface in real time. Images showing spacial distribution of scattered particles are collected digitally, then compared. This allows the researchers to determine where a molecule reacts on a surface and how the atomic structure of the surface changes as a result of the chemical reaction. Practical implications for such technology include better computers, optic devices and catalytic converters.