Ruffman C, Steenbergen KG, Garden AL, Gaston N. Dynamic sampling of liquid metal structures for theoretical studies on catalysis.
Chem Sci 2023;
15:185-194. [PMID:
38131068 PMCID:
PMC10732005 DOI:
10.1039/d3sc04416e]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid metals have recently emerged as promising catalysts that can outcompete their solid counterparts for many reactions. Although theoretical modelling is extensively used to improve solid-state catalysts, there is currently no way to capture the interactions of adsorbates with a dynamic liquid metal. We propose a new approach based on ab initio molecular dynamics sampling of an adsorbate on a liquid catalyst. Using this approach, we describe time-resolved structures for formate adsorbed on liquid Ga-In, and for all intermediates in the methanol oxidation pathway on Ga-Pt. This yields a range of accessible adsorption energies that take into account the at-temperature motion of the liquid metal. We find that a previously proposed pathway for methanol oxidation on Ga-Pt results in unstable intermediates on a dynamic liquid surface, and propose that H desorption must occur during the path. The results showcase a more accurate way to treat liquid metal catalysts in this emerging field.
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