Molecular studies of model surfaces of metals from single crystals to nanoparticles under catalytic reaction conditions. Evolution from prenatal and postmortem studies of catalysts

Extraordinary Thermal Stability and Sinter Resistance of Sub-2 nm Platinum Nanoparticles Anchored to a Carbon Support by Selenium

Nanoparticle sintering has long been a major challenge in developing catalytic systems for use at elevated temperatures. Here we report an in situ electron microscopy study of the extraordinary sinter resistance of a catalytic system comprised of sub-2 nm Pt nanoparticles on a Se-decorated carbon support. When heated to 700 °C, the average size of the Pt nanoparticles only increased from 1.6 to 2.2 nm, while the crystal structure, together with the {111} and {100} facets, of the Pt nanoparticles was well retained. Our electron microscopy analyses suggested that the superior resistance against sintering originated from the Pt-Se interaction. Confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray elemental mapping and electron energy loss spectra, the Se atoms surrounding the Pt nanoparticles could survive the heating. This work not only offers an understanding of the physics behind the thermal behavior of this catalytic material but also sheds light on the future development of sinter-resistant catalytic systems.

Ultra-high vacuum compatible reactor for model catalyst study of ammonia synthesis at ambient pressure

A high sensitivity reactor was developed to study slow reactions, such as ammonia synthesis over low surface area model catalysts at 1 bar and up to 550 °C. The reactor is connected to an ultra-high vacuum system with a transferable sample design, which allows for cleaning, preparation, and spectroscopic characterization of samples before and after the reaction without exposure to any contaminated environment, such as air. A quasi-closed small volume (250 µl) quartz glass reaction cell is integrated through a capillary with a quartz glass sniffer tube connected to a mass spectrometer. The capillary reduces the 1 bar pressure in the cell to 10-7 mbar in the sniffer tube and mass spectrometer chamber. A quartz fiber-guided laser is used to heat up the sample, and the temperature can be regulated by the proportional-integral-derivative controlled laser power output for fast reaction kinetics research. Proof of principle ammonia synthesis experiments in this reactor at 1 bar, 350-500 °C on Fe(111) single crystal and mass-selected Ru clusters supported on CeO2 thin film yield kinetic parameters that agree very well to those reported in the literature.

Operando Surface Characterization on Catalytic and Energy Materials from Single Crystals to Nanoparticles

Modern surface science faces two major challenges, a materials gap and a pressure gap. While studies on single crystal surface in ultrahigh vacuum have uncovered the atomic and electronic structures of the surface, the materials and environmental conditions of commercial catalysis are much more complicated, both in the structure of the materials and in the accessible pressure range of analysis instruments. Model systems and operando surface techniques have been developed to bridge these gaps. In this Review, we highlight the current trends in the development of the surface characterization techniques and methodologies in more realistic environments, with emphasis on recent research efforts at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. We show principles and applications of the microscopic and spectroscopic surface techniques at ambient pressure that were used for the characterization of atomic structure, electronic structure, charge transport, and the mechanical properties of catalytic and energy materials. Ambient pressure scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy allow us to observe the surface restructuring that occurs during oxidation, reduction, and catalytic processes. In addition, we introduce the ambient pressure atomic force microscopy that revealed the morphological, mechanical, and charge transport properties that occur during the catalytic and energy conversion processes. Hot electron detection enables the monitoring of catalytic reactions and electronic excitations on the surface. Overall, the information on the nature of catalytic reactions obtained with operando spectroscopic and microscopic techniques may bring breakthroughs in some of the global energy and environmental problems the world is facing.

Moving Frontiers in Transition Metal Catalysis: Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling

Nanosized transition metal particles are important materials in catalysis with a key role not only in academic research but also in many processes with industrial and societal relevance. Although small improvements in catalytic properties can lead to significant economic and environmental impacts, it is only now that knowledge-based design of such materials is emerging, partly because the understanding of catalytic mechanisms on nanoparticle surfaces is increasingly improving. A knowledge-based design requires bottom-up synthesis of well-defined model catalysts, an understanding of the catalytic nanomaterials "at work" (operando), and both a detailed understanding and a prediction by theoretical methods. This article reports on progress in colloidal synthesis of transition metal nanoparticles for preparation of model catalysts to close the materials gap between the discoveries of fundamental surface science and industrial application. The transition metal particles, however, often undergo extensive transformations when applied to the catalytic process and much progress has recently been achieved operando characterization techniques under relevant reaction conditions. They allow better understanding of size/structure-activity correlations in these systems. Moreover, the growth of computing power and the improvement of theoretical methods uncover mechanisms on nanoparticles and have recently predicted highly active particles for CO/CO₂ hydrogenation or direct H₂ O₂ synthesis.

Catalytic selectivity of Rh/TiO2catalyst in syngas conversion to ethanol: probing into the mechanism and functions of TiO2support and promoter

The catalytic selectivity, the functions of a TiO₂support and promoter, and the mechanism of ethanol synthesis from syngas on a Rh/TiO₂model catalyst have been fully identified.

Reconstruction and dissolution of shape-controlled Pt nanoparticles in acidic electrolytes

Reconstruction and dissolution of shape-controlled Pt nanoparticles in acidic electrolytes.

Methionine bound to Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts studied by solid-state (13)C NMR

The chemisorption and breakdown of methionine (Met) adsorbed on Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were investigated by solid-state NMR. (13)C-enriched Met (ca. 0.4mg) impregnated onto γ-Al2O3 or Pd/γ-Al2O3 gives NMR spectra with characteristic features of binding to γ-Al2O3, to Pd nanoparticles, and oxidative or reductive breakdown of Met. The SCH3 groups of Met showed characteristic changes in chemical shift on γ-Al2O3 (13ppm) vs. Pd (19ppm), providing strong evidence for preferential binding to Pd, while the NC carbon generates a small resonance at 96ppm assigned to a distinct nonprotonated species bound to O or Pd. Additionally, NMR shows that the SCH3 groups of Met are mobile on γ-Al2O3 but immobilized by binding to Pd particles; on small Pd particles (ca. 4nm), the NCH groups undergo large-amplitude motions. In a reducing environment, Met breaks down by C-S bond cleavage followed by formation of C2-C4 organic acids. The SCH3 signal shifts to 22ppm, which is likely the signature of the principal species responsible for strong catalyst inhibition. These experiments demonstrate that solid-state magic-angle spinning NMR of (13)C-enriched Met can be a sensitive probe to investigate catalyst surfaces and characterize catalyst inhibition both before reaction and postmortem.

Magnetic manipulation of molecules on a non-magnetic catalytic surface

Non-magnetic Pt catalysts, supported on carbon coated magnetic Co nanoparticles, changed catalytic performance in the presence of an external magnetic field. This behavior relates to an electronic change of Pt induced by a localized magnetic field, which modifies the CO adsorption geometry. In situ resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) experiments and theory reveal the change of atop CO adsorption geometry on the Pt catalyst to bridged geometry under an external magnetic field. This observation opens the possibility of catalytic control by means of an external magnetic field.

Nanometallic chemistry: deciphering nanoparticle catalysis from the perspective of organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis

Nanoparticle (NP) catalysis is traditionally viewed as a sub-section of heterogeneous catalysis. However, certain properties of NP catalysts, especially NPs dispersed in solvents, indicate that there could be benefits from viewing them from the perspective of homogeneous catalysis. By applying the fundamental approaches and concepts routinely used in homogeneous catalysis to NP catalysts it should be possible to rationally design new nanocatalysts with superior properties to those currently in use.

Displacement of hexanol by the hexanoic acid overoxidation product in alcohol oxidation on a model supported palladium nanoparticle catalyst

This work characterizes the adsorption, structure, and binding mechanism of oxygenated organic species from cyclohexane solution at the liquid/solid interface of optically flat alumina-supported palladium nanoparticle surfaces prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The surface-specific nonlinear optical vibrational spectroscopy, sum-frequency generation (SFG), was used as a probe for adsorption and interfacial molecular structure. 1-Hexanoic acid is an overoxidation product and possible catalyst poison for the aerobic heterogeneous oxidation of 1-hexanol at the liquid/solid interface of Pd/Al(2)O(3) catalysts. Single component and competitive adsorption experiments show that 1-hexanoic acid adsorbs to both ALD-prepared alumina surfaces and alumina surfaces with palladium nanoparticles, that were also prepared by ALD, more strongly than does 1-hexanol. Furthermore, 1-hexanoic acid adsorbs with conformational order on ALD-prepared alumina surfaces, but on surfaces with palladium particles the adsorbates exhibit relative disorder at low surface coverage and become more ordered, on average, at higher surface coverage. Although significant differences in binding constant were not observed between surfaces with and without palladium nanoparticles, the palladium particles play an apparent role in controlling adsorbate structures. The disordered adsorption of 1-hexanoic acid most likely occurs on the alumina support, and probably results from modification of binding sites on the alumina, adjacent to the particles. In addition to providing insight on the possibility of catalyst poisoning by the overoxidation product and characterizing changes in its structure that result in only small adsorption energy changes, this work represents a step toward using surface science techniques that bridge the complexity gap between fundamental studies and realistic catalyst models.

In situ diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy for fast catalytic processes

A new instrument for synchronous in situ investigations of catalytic materials by IR and X-ray absorption spectroscopies was designed and built at the X18A beamline of the National Synchrotron Light Source of Brookhaven National Laboratory. It provides analytical tools for solving structural, electronic and kinetic problems in catalysis science by two complementary methods. Among the features attractive for catalysis research are the broad range of catalytically active elements that can be investigated (starting with Ni and beyond), the wide range of reaction conditions (temperatures up to 873 K, various reactive gases) and time scales (starting from tens of seconds). The results of several representative experiments that illustrate the attractive capabilities of the new set-up are discussed.