Investigation of nanocatalysts using the PDF method

The pair distribution function (PDF) method based on the integral analysis of X-ray diffraction is described. Being sensitive to changes in the local structure, this method is successfully applied to detect defects, which are not detected by usual powder X-ray diffraction analysis, in the atomic structure of nanoobjects. Examples of the method application for the structural studies of nanosized aluminum oxides and hydroxides with different physico-chemical properties are presented.