Multi-Probe In Situ Flow Cell for Supercritical Fluids – METRICS

Advancements around sample environments and new instrumentation over the last decades have enabled the feasibility of sophisticated in situ and operando structural probes. In the context of supercritical fluid flow conditions for the synthesis of new functional metal oxide materials, existing in situ cell designs are limited either by i) non-representative supercritical fluid reaction conditions or ii) lack of visibility for the earliest stages of nucleation with nanometer (or sub-nm) sized proto-crystallites. The project METRICS aims to develop a new modular in situ cell for supercritical flow reaction conditions, designed around flat sapphire windows optimized for PDF-type short-range structural order analysis, but compatible with a wide range of scattering and absorption probes. To achieve this goal, the project combines the experience of two teams at the ICMCB institute in Bordeaux, namely the X-ray Diffraction Service and Supercritical Fluids research group. Multiple work package are goals are identified to guide project tasks, working towards the realistic goal of performing PDF-type high energy synchrotron beamline experiments with the new cell design before the end of 48 month project duration. Due its well-designed goals, the assembled teams, and preliminary results, the METRICS project is exceptional well-positioned to realize a new in situ instrument capable of providing important insight not only for the initially targeted synthesis parameters under supercritical fluids conditions but also for the entire hydro-/solvothermal flow community.