Understanding the molecular basis for the controlled design of ruthenium nanoparticles in microporous aluminophosphates

Controlling the structural properties of nanoparticle catalysts within a microporous framework is a major challenge. Using in situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy we detail the influence of activation parameters on the nature of ruthenium particles that are located within the confines of a nanoporous aluminophosphate (RuAlPO-5) architecture. These in situ studies confirm that controlled annealing conditions can tailor the formation of specific ruthenium species, which alter the catalytic performance towards the oxidation of cyclohexane to KA oil (a 1 : 1 mixture of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol), the precursor for Nylon-6 and Nylon-6,6.