Application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to assess palladium catalyst deactivation.

This work introduces a new method for the investigation of palladium (Pd) catalyst deactivation by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). For this purpose, deactivation of Pd/(OH)/C catalyst for synthesis of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW or CL-20) as a high-performance energetic compound was studied. The LIBS spectrum of fresh catalyst (Pd/(OH)/C) with 10% Pd was compared to spent catalyst (Pd/C) containing 7% Pd.