See how your catalyst behaves as the conditions change
From CO2 conversion to green hydrogen, researchers need to follow catalyst surfaces under changing gas compositions, temperatures, illumination and electrical conditions.
CO2 conversion
Follow surface species as CO2 becomes fuels and chemicals.
Hydrogen and fuel cells
Study catalysts for water splitting and fuel cell reactions.
Photocatalysis
Watch surface chemistry under illumination.
Electrocatalysis
Measure while you apply current or voltage.
These additions were developed into standard products out of Customs and Specials projects with leading catalysis research groups, including Dr. Wachs’ group at Lehigh University and the Reece Lab at Harvard University. Working closely with them showed us where experiments were being held back, and helped us turn those challenges into practical solutions for every Praying Mantis user.
The experimental challenges, and how we help with each one
Catalyst research is moving towards pulsed and operando experiments, where you need to see how a surface responds as the conditions change. That asks more of a reaction chamber than a conventional DRIFTS setup was designed to give. Here are the challenges we hear about most often, and how the Praying Mantis family now helps with each of them.
Your challenges
How we help
Gas exchange that is too slow
Dead space in the reaction chamber slows down how quickly reaction products can be removed and fresh reactants introduced, which makes transient reaction kinetics hard to capture.
Faster transient responses
The Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber has a 3 ml internal volume, compared with 15.8 ml for the standard version, and rapid gas switching for transient measurements.
Read the application note on resolving transient responses with the Reece Lab at Harvard University
Chamber surfaces that get involved
Untreated metal surfaces can interact with your catalyst chemistry, so it becomes harder to be sure that what you see comes from the sample.
A more inert reaction environment
Silcolloy® 2000 coated reaction chambers protect from corrosion and reduce metal-ion contamination.
Read the application note on photocatalysis in a Silcolloy coated chamber
Carry-over between runs
When you change the catalyst after each run, residue from the last experiment can find its way into the next one.
Sample cup liners
A sample cup liner lets you change samples between experiments and helps you avoid cross-contamination.
Read the application note on CO adsorption in a sample cup liner
Experiments that need current or voltage
Advanced catalytic and electrocatalytic studies need a chamber that adapts to the experiment, and a standard setup does not always allow for that.
Electrochemical-ready adapters
Feed-through tubes and a flat sample stage let you insert electrodes and apply current or voltage, with windows for both DRIFTS and Raman experiments.
Read the application note on CO2 and methane conversion catalysts for electrochemical cells
Temperature control that sits apart from your spectrometer
Collecting spectra at specific temperature setpoints often means manual steps between two pieces of software, which takes time and leaves room for error.
Everything controlled from one environment, coming in 2027
Our temperature controller software will integrate into your Spectrometer App, giving you more control and ease of use.
This year at a glance
The Harrick Praying Mantis family keeps growing. These new additions help elevate the system even further, giving you a high-efficiency operando DRIFTS solution for characterizing gas-solid catalytic reactions accurately, with a faster transient response, and more flexible automation than before. Here is what’s new, and what’s still on the way.
- Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber. Now available, with a 3.0 ml internal volume for faster gas exchange.
- Electrochemical-Ready Adapters. Available now for studies under applied current or voltage.
- Silcolloy® 2000 coated reaction chambers. Available now as a coating option, for a more inert reaction environment.
- Vacuum operation. Available now.
- Temperature controller software. Coming in 2027, so that you can control everything from one environment.
Where these additions map to what you're trying to do
Joining the Praying Mantis accessories ecosystem expands our applications reach, by elevating proven customs and specials to full product status. Here is where each addition maps to a need, and the kinds of work it is related to.
No leaching, no contamination, metal inert
Silcolloy® 2000 coated reaction chambers give your setup a metal-inert surface, so contamination and leaching stay out of your results.
Electrolysis, voltage needed for reaction
The electrochemical-ready adapters bring current and voltage into the High Temperature Reaction Chamber, so your electrolysis work runs exactly where you need it to.
Rapid interaction, scarce samples, better sampling workflows
The Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber cuts dead volume and speeds up gas exchange, so rapid reactions and scarce samples still give you a clean, reliable signal.
Available Now
Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber
Designed to work with the Praying Mantis and our Temperature Controller. Gas flows through the sample bed rather than around it, so reaction gases enter above the sample and exit through the bed below, which is intended to optimize downstream analysis of the reacted gases compared to the standard High Temperature HVC.
- Total internal volume: 3.0 ml (including a 6 inch gas inlet)
- Temperature range: ambient to 550°C, under vacuum
- Pressure range: vacuum (10⁻⁶ torr) to 11.2 ktorr
- Low-voltage (24V) heating cartridge for efficiency and reduced electrical risk
- Window assemblies customizable for IR, UV-Vis, or Raman spectroscopy
Electrochemical-Ready Adapters
For the High Temperature Reaction Chamber. Both diffuse reflectance and Raman spectroscopy are sensitive to changes on the surfaces of samples such as solar cells, electrodes, catalysts and semiconductors, and these adapters let you characterize them under controlled conditions while applying current or voltage.
- Feed-through tubes for securely inserting and connecting electrodes to the sample
- Flat sample stage for building up an electrode and sample stack
- Sample thickness specified at the point of ordering
- Windows adaptable for both DRIFTS and Raman spectroscopy experiments
- 316 stainless steel adapter, 1/16 inch electrode feed-throughs with 1/8 inch Swagelok fittings
Applications: in-situ electrochemistry, spectroscopy of electrochemically induced polymerizations, redox process monitoring on semiconductor electrodes, electrochemical impedance and cyclic voltammetry spectroscopy, and operando studies of Stark tuning rates.
Silcolloy® 2000 Coated Reaction Chambers
Protects from corrosion and reduces metal-ion contamination. A solution for researchers working in harsh or chemically aggressive catalysis environments. Specify at the point of ordering alongside your chamber configuration.
Vacuum Operation
Vacuum capability is available today, brought to your setup through OEM integration work built around your spectrometer and your experiment. Talk to our team about what your setup needs.
Temperature controller software - coming soon!
Control everything from one environment, better integration, and automation – coming soon 2027
Featured application notes
These application notes show the additions at work, from transient kinetics and sample cup liners to Silcolloy coated chambers and electrocatalyst studies.
Resolving transient responses of catalyst systems using a low-volume DRIFTS reactor
This note covers work with the Reece Lab at Harvard University, where modulation excitation spectroscopy was combined with DRIFTS in a low volume, high temperature reaction chamber from Harrick to resolve the transient responses of catalyst systems.
CO Adsorption and Desorption in a Sample Cup Liner for Harrick
This note compares CO adsorption and desorption over a commercial Pd/Al2O3 catalyst in the High Temperature Reaction Chamber, with and without a sample cup liner. It is a helpful read if you are concerned about cross-contamination between experiments.
Photocatalytic Interaction of Organophosphorus Compounds with Titania Using a Silcolloy-Coated High Temperature Reaction Chamber
This note follows how dimethyl methylphosphonate interacts with titania powder, using a Silcolloy coated High Temperature Reaction Chamber with a cooling cartridge and the Praying Mantis, so that the chamber itself stays out of the chemistry.
High-Temperature DRIFTS and Raman Studies of CO2 and Methane Conversion Catalysts for Electrochemical Cells
This note uses the Harrick high temperature DRIFTS chamber to study catalysts for CO2 to CO conversion and methane reforming in electrochemical cells, with in situ DRIFTS and Raman spectroscopy.
Frequently asked questions about the Praying Mantis additions
How do I enquire about these new products
The updates will be available on the Harrick Praying Mantis™ product page, in the meantime, you can enquire directly on our contact us form
How can I study CO2 conversion catalysts under reaction conditions?
You can follow the catalyst surface with in situ or operando diffuse reflectance while you control the temperature and the gas environment. The Harrick Praying Mantis with a High Temperature Reaction Chamber is used for this kind of work, and one of our application notes covers catalysts for CO2 to CO conversion and methane reforming in electrochemical cells, studied with in situ DRIFTS and Raman spectroscopy. For pulsed or fast switching experiments, the Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber shortens the gas exchange.
Which reaction chamber should I use for transient kinetics and pulsed gas experiments?
The Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber is designed for this kind of experiment. It has a 3.0 ml internal volume and gas flows through the sample bed, so a complete exchange of reactant gases is possible in less than 1 second. The Reece Lab at Harvard University combined modulation excitation spectroscopy with DRIFTS in a low volume, high temperature reaction chamber from Harrick to resolve the transient responses of catalyst systems.
How can I characterize electrocatalysts for hydrogen and fuel cell research?
The Electrochemical-Ready Adapters for the High Temperature Reaction Chamber let you characterize materials such as electrodes, catalysts, semiconductors and solid fuel cells under controlled conditions while you apply current or voltage. Feed-through tubes carry the electrodes into the chamber, and the windows can be adapted for DRIFTS or Raman spectroscopy experiments.
How do I study photocatalysts with diffuse reflectance?
A photocatalysis experiment needs a chamber that stays out of the chemistry while the sample is irradiated. One of our application notes follows how dimethyl methylphosphonate interacts with titania powder, using the Praying Mantis with a Silcolloy coated High Temperature Reaction Chamber and a cooling cartridge. The coating helps to prevent unwanted reactions on stainless steel surfaces, and the cooling cartridge helps to keep the sample temperature constant during irradiation.
What is new for the Harrick Praying Mantis in 2026?
The Harrick Praying Mantis diffuse reflection accessory has four new additions in 2026. These are the Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber, the Electrochemical-Ready Adapters for the High Temperature Reaction Chamber, Silcolloy® 2000 coated reaction chambers, and vacuum operation integration. Temperature controller software that lets you control everything from one environment is planned for 2027.
What is the internal volume of the Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber?
The Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber has a total internal volume of 3.0 ml, including a 6 inch gas inlet. The standard High Temperature Reaction Chamber has an internal volume of 15.8 ml.
How fast is gas exchange in the Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber?
1-3 seconds at 50-100 mL min-1 flow rates. Gas flows through the sample bed rather than around it, so reaction gases enter above the sample and exit through the bed below.
Why does a low volume reaction chamber matter for operando DRIFTS?
Dead space in a reaction chamber slows down how quickly reaction products can be removed and fresh reactants introduced. A low internal volume and low dead volume shorten that gas exchange, which helps you capture fast transient behavior such as step changes and pulsed gas feeds with minimal gas dispersion.
What temperature and pressure range does the Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber cover?
In a typical configuration, the chamber operates from ambient to 550 °C under vacuum, and from vacuum (10⁻⁶ torr) to 11.2 ktorr. The choice of window material affects the pressure rating, and the maximum temperature depends on the pressure and gas composition inside the chamber.
Can I run electrochemical experiments with the Praying Mantis?
Yes. The Electrochemical-Ready Adapters for the High Temperature Reaction Chamber provide feed-through tubes for inserting and connecting electrodes, along with a flat sample stage for building up an electrode and sample stack. This lets you characterize materials such as electrodes, catalysts and semiconductors under controlled conditions while applying current or voltage. The windows can be adapted for both DRIFTS and Raman spectroscopy experiments.
What does the Silcolloy® 2000 coating do in a reaction chamber?
Silcolloy® 2000 coated reaction chambers protect from corrosion and reduce metal-ion contamination. The coating is intended for researchers who work in harsh or chemically aggressive catalysis environments, and you specify it at the point of ordering alongside your chamber configuration.
Can the Praying Mantis reaction chamber be used under vacuum?
Yes. Vacuum capability is available today through OEM integration, which is built around your spectrometer and your experiment.
Which spectroscopy techniques can the reaction chambers be used with?
The window assemblies of the Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber can be customized for IR, UV-Vis or Raman spectroscopy. The Electrochemical-Ready Adapters have windows that can be adapted for both DRIFTS and Raman spectroscopy experiments.
Can the Praying Mantis be used for UV-Vis diffuse reflectance as well as DRIFTS?
Yes. The Praying Mantis is used for diffuse reflectance in the UV-Vis range as well as in the infrared, and the window assemblies of the Low Volume, High Temperature Reaction Chamber can be customized for IR, UV-Vis or Raman spectroscopy.
When will the temperature controller software be available?
The temperature controller software is planned for 2027. It is designed to integrate into your Spectrometer App, so that you can control everything from one environment and run unattended, overnight or multi-day experiments.