Insights into the catalytic activity of nitridated fibrous silica (KCC-1) nanocatalysts from (15) N and (29) Si NMR spectroscopy enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization

Abstract

Fibrous nanosilica (KCC-1) oxynitrides are promising solid-base catalysts. Paradoxically, when their nitrogen content increases, their catalytic activity decreases. This counterintuitive observation is explained here for the first time using (15) N-solid-state NMR spectroscopy enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization.

Keywords: EPR spectroscopy; NMR spectroscopy; fibrous silica (KCC-1); nanocatalysis; nanostructures.