A laser Raman spectrometer is being acquired. This instrument will provide capabilities for conducting research in heterogeneous catalysis. These capabilities cannot be matched with any of the available facilities. Incorporation of the laser Raman spectroscopy technique to the ongoing research programs on selective oxidation of lower molecular weight hydrocarbons and on catalytic incineration of organic air pollutants will open up new avenues for research such as in situ characterization of the catalyst synthesis process, characterization of catalyst surfaces under reaction conditions, investigation of adsorbent-adsorbate interactions, in situ characterization of catalyst deactivation process and identification of active catalytic sites by use of isotopically labelled reactants. Since in situ characterization of catalyst surfaces is the key to acquiring an indepth understanding of the catalysis phenomenon, availability of this technique will help us answer several fundamental questions regarding catalytic activity, selectivity and reaction schemes. Only such fundamental understanding will make the solid state design of active and selective catalysts possible.
