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Morgade CIN, Schvval AB, García G, Cabeza GF. Band edges positions prediction of the of Ag nanocluster-decorated titania surfaces and their relationship to NO and NO 2 interaction from first-principles calculations. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 124:108531. [PMID: 37311332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Metal nanoclusters deposited on oxides have been widely used in photocatalysis playing an important role in the design of model catalysts with applications in heterogeneous catalysis. In particular, we are interested in the potential activity of these cluster-supported systems for the removal of nitrogen oxides either by possible catalytic reduction and/or by their adsorption. In this work, using first-principles methods, we evaluate the main characteristics of Agn (n = 1-4) nanoclusters isolated and deposited on anatase TiO2(101) and rutile TiO2(110) surfaces. Our results indicate that they are preferably adsorbed on rutile surface. The different formation energy at each surface can be explained using a Bader charge analysis. Particularly for Ag4 the lowest formation energy is obtained for tetrahedral geometry while the isolated Ag4 geometry is planar. Small silver deposits placed superficially on titania surfaces modify its electronic structures and improve the conduction band edges positions for possible NO reduction. Band edges positions with respect to the vacuum potential have been studied. The comparison of the conduction band minimum with the reduction potentials of NO/N2O and N2O/N2 shows that they are higher, being Ag3 on rutile and Ag1, Ag2 and Ag4P on anatase better for NO reduction. To complete the analysis, the calculation of work function, energy gap, ionization energy and electron affinity are relevant since they allow the location of semiconductor band edges at point of zero charge. Finally, the adsorption of nitrogen oxides is studied where the NO2 adsorption is favored over NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia I N Morgade
- Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR), CONICET- Departamento de Física, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, FRBB, 11 de abril 461, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Ana B Schvval
- Instituto de Química (INQUISUR) CONICET- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Griselda García
- Instituto de Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 7820436, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Investigación en Nanotecnología y Materiales Avanzados, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6904411, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriela F Cabeza
- Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR), CONICET- Departamento de Física, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
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2
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Fabila Fabian JR, Romero Vazquez D, Paz-Borbón LO, Buendia F. Role of bimetallic Au-Ir subnanometer clusters mediating O2 adsorption and dissociation on anatase TiO2 (101). J Chem Phys 2022; 157:084309. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0100739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive computational study on the oxygen molecule (O2) adsorption and activation on bimetallic Au-Ir subnanometer clusters supported on TiO2(101) up to 5 atoms in size - is performed. Our results indicate a strong cluster-oxide interaction for mono-metallic Ir clusters, with calculated adsorption energy (Eads ) values ranging from -3.11 up to -5.91 eV. Similar values are calculated for bimetallic Au-Ir clusters (-3.21 up to -5.69 eV). However, weaker Eads values are calculated for Au clusters (ranging from -0.66 up to -2.07 eV). As a general trend, we demonstrate that for supported Au-Ir clusters on TiO2(101), those Ir atoms preferentially occupy cluster-oxide interface positions while acting as anchor sites for the Au atoms. The overall geometric arrangements of the putative global minima configurations define O2 adsorption and dissociation, particularly involving the mono-metallic Au5, Ir5, as well as the bimetallic Au2Ir3 and Au3Ir2 supported clusters. Spontaneous O2 dissociation is observed on both Ir5 and on the Ir metallic part of Au3Ir2 and Au2Ir3 supported clusters. This is in sharp contrast with supported Au5, where a large activation energy is needed (1.90 eV). Interestingly, for Au5 we observe that molecular O2 adsorption is favorable at the cluster/oxide interface, followed by a smaller dissociation barrier (0.71 eV). From a single-cluster catalysis (SCC) point of view, our results have strong implications in the ongoing understanding of oxide supported bimetallic, while providing a useful first insight for the continuous in-silico design of novel sub-nanometer catalysts.
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Schäfer T, Daelman N, López N. Cerium Oxides without U: The Role of Many-Electron Correlation. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:6277-6283. [PMID: 34212726 PMCID: PMC8397342 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Electron transfer with changing occupation in the 4f subshell poses a considerable challenge for quantitative predictions in quantum chemistry. Using the example of cerium oxide, we identify the main deficiencies of common parameter-dependent one-electron approaches, such as density functional theory (DFT) with a Hubbard correction, or hybrid functionals. As a response, we present the first benchmark of ab initio many-electron theory for electron transfer energies and lattice parameters under periodic boundary conditions. We show that the direct random phase approximation clearly outperforms all DFT variations. From this foundation, we, then, systematically improve even further. Periodic second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory meanwhile manages to recover standard hybrid functional values. Using these approaches to eliminate parameter bias allows for highly accurate benchmarks of strongly correlated materials, the reliable assessment of various density functionals, and functional fitting via machine-learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schäfer
- Institute
for Theoretical Physics, TU Wien, Wiedner Hauptstraße 8-10/136, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nathan Daelman
- Institute
of Chemical Research of Catalonia, The Barcelona
Institute of Science and Technology, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Núria López
- Institute
of Chemical Research of Catalonia, The Barcelona
Institute of Science and Technology, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
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López-Caballero P, Miret-Artés S, Mitrushchenkov AO, de Lara-Castells MP. Ag 5-induced stabilization of multiple surface polarons on perfect and reduced TiO 2 rutile (110). J Chem Phys 2020; 153:164702. [PMID: 33138404 DOI: 10.1063/5.0029099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent advent of cutting-edge experimental techniques allows for a precise synthesis of subnanometer metal clusters composed of just a few atoms, opening new possibilities for subnanometer science. In this work, via first-principles modeling, we show how the decoration of perfect and reduced TiO2 surfaces with Ag5 atomic clusters enables the stabilization of multiple surface polarons. Moreover, we predict that Ag5 clusters are capable of promoting defect-induced polarons transfer from the subsurface to the surface sites of reduced TiO2 samples. For both planar and pyramidal Ag5 clusters, and considering four different positions of bridging oxygen vacancies, we model up to 14 polaronic structures, leading to 134 polaronic states. About 71% of these configurations encompass coexisting surface polarons. The most stable states are associated with large inter-polaron distances (>7.5 Å on average), not only due to the repulsive interaction between trapped Ti3+ 3d1 electrons, but also due to the interference between their corresponding electronic polarization clouds [P. López-Caballero et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 8, 6842-6853 (2020)]. As a result, the most stable ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic arrangements are energetically quasi-degenerate. However, as the average inter-polarons distance decreases, most (≥70%) of the polaronic configurations become ferromagnetic. The optical excitation of the midgap polaronic states with photon energy at the end of the visible region causes the enlargement of the polaronic wave function over the surface layer. The ability of Ag5 atomic clusters to stabilize multiple surface polarons and extend the optical response of TiO2 surfaces toward the visible region bears importance in improving their (photo-)catalytic properties and illustrates the potential of this new generation of subnanometer-sized materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- P López-Caballero
- Instituto de Física Fundamental (AbinitSim Unit), CSIC, Serrano 123, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - S Miret-Artés
- Instituto de Física Fundamental (AbinitSim Unit), CSIC, Serrano 123, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - A O Mitrushchenkov
- MSME, University Gustave Eiffel, CNRS UMR 8208, University Paris Est Creteil, F-77454 Marne-la-Vallée, France
| | - M P de Lara-Castells
- Instituto de Física Fundamental (AbinitSim Unit), CSIC, Serrano 123, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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Wen B, Yin WJ, Selloni A, Liu LM. Site dependent reactivity of Pt single atoms on anatase TiO 2(101) in an aqueous environment. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:10455-10461. [PMID: 31674604 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp05097c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The TiO2-Pt-water interface is of great relevance in photocatalysis where Pt is widely used as a co-catalyst for enhancing hydrogen evolution in aqueous TiO2. Using ab initio molecular dynamics, we investigated this interface focusing on Pt single atoms supported on anatase TiO2(101) in a water environment. Based on recent experiments showing a broad distribution of Pt coordination sites in TiO2, we examined six distinct single-Pt supported species with different nominal Pt oxidation states, namely: Pt, PtOH, and PtO2 species adsorbed on the stoichiometric surface; Pt adsorbed at a surface oxygen vacancy (Ov); and Pt substituting a surface Ti cation (PtTi), both without and with an accompanying Ov (PtTi + Ov). As found for the pristine anatase surface, interfacial water remained intact in the presence of a nearly neutral Pt adatom within the time duration of our simulations (∼15 ps). Similarly, no (or only temporary) water dissociation was observed at the PtTi + Ov and PtO2 interfaces, due to the formation of very stable planar Pt coordination structures that interact only weakly with water. In contrast, water dissociated with OH- (H+) on the Pt atom when this substituted a surface Ti (oxygen) ion as well as on PtOH. The significant proton affinity of Pt atoms at surface oxygen vacancies suggests that negatively charged Pt species are particularly efficient at catalyzing hydrogen evolution in aqueous TiO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wen
- Beijing Computational Science Research Center, Beijing 100193, China
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6
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Differences in the Catalytic Behavior of Au-Metalized TiO2 Systems During Phenol Photo-Degradation and CO Oxidation. Catalysts 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/catal9040331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
For this present work, a series of Au-metallized TiO2 catalysts were synthesized and characterized in order to compare their performance in two different catalytic environments: the phenol degradation that occurs during the liquid phase and in the CO oxidation phase, which proceeds the gas phase. The obtained materials were analyzed by different techniques such as XRF, SBET, XRD, TEM, XPS, and UV-Vis DRS. Although the metallization was not totally efficient in all cases, the amount of noble metal loaded depended strongly on the deposition time. Furthermore, the differences in the amount of loaded gold were important factors influencing the physicochemical properties of the catalysts, and consequently, their performances in the studied reactors. The addition of gold represented a considerable increase in the phenol conversion when compared with that of the TiO2, despite the small amount of noble metal loaded. However, this was not the case in the CO oxidation reaction. Beyond the differences in the phase where the reaction occurred, the loss of catalytic activity during the CO oxidation reaction was directly related to the sintering of the gold nanoparticles.
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CO Oxidation Promoted by a Pt4/TiO2 Catalyst: Role of Lattice Oxygen at the Metal/Oxide Interface. Catal Letters 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10562-018-2610-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Chen J, Iyemperumal SK, Fenton T, Carl A, Grimm R, Li G, Deskins NA. Synergy between Defects, Photoexcited Electrons, and Supported Single Atom Catalysts for CO2 Reduction. ACS Catal 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.8b02372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Junbo Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States
| | - Satish Kumar Iyemperumal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States
| | - Thomas Fenton
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - Alexander Carl
- Department of Chemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States
| | - Ronald Grimm
- Department of Chemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States
| | - Gonghu Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, United States
| | - N. Aaron Deskins
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, United States
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Di Liberto G, Pifferi V, Lo Presti L, Ceotto M, Falciola L. Atomistic Explanation for Interlayer Charge Transfer in Metal-Semiconductor Nanocomposites: The Case of Silver and Anatase. J Phys Chem Lett 2017; 8:5372-5377. [PMID: 29048166 PMCID: PMC5672557 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b02555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A concerted theoretical and experimental investigation of the silver/anatase hybrid nanocomposite, a very promising material for advanced sensing applications, is presented. We measure its exceptional electrochemical virtues in terms of current densities and reproducibility, providing their explanation at the atomic-scale level and demonstrating how and why silver acts as a positive electrode. Using periodic plane-wave DFT calculations, we estimate the overall amount of electron transfer toward the semiconductor side of the interface at equilibrium. Suitably designed (photo)electrochemical experiments strictly agree, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with the theoretical charge transfer estimates. The unique permanent charge separation occurring in the device is possible because of the favorable synergy of Ag and TiO2, which exploits in a favorable band alignment, while the electron-hole recombination rate and carrier mobility decrease when electrons cross the metal-semiconductor interface. Finally, the hybrid material is proven to be extremely robust against aging, showing complete regeneration, even after 1 year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Di Liberto
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Pifferi
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lo Presti
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milano, Italy
- Istituto
di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari, Italian CNR, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milano, Italy
- Center
for Materials Crystallography, Århus
University, Langelandsgade
140, DK-8000 Århus, Denmark
| | - Michele Ceotto
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Luigi Falciola
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
di Milano, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milano, Italy
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10
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Iyemperumal SK, Deskins NA. Activation of CO2 by supported Cu clusters. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:28788-28807. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp05718k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
CO2 forms a bent, negative anion upon adsorption near a Cu3 cluster supported on TiO2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - N. Aaron Deskins
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Worcester
- USA
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