Atomic Layer Deposition on Porous Materials: Problems with Conventional Approaches to Catalyst and Fuel Cell Electrode Preparation

The surface chemistry of the atomic layer deposition of metal thin films

In this perspective we discuss the progress made in the mechanistic studies of the surface chemistry associated with the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of metal films and the usefulness of that knowledge for the optimization of existing film growth processes and for the design of new ones. Our focus is on the deposition of late transition metals. We start by introducing some of the main surface-sensitive techniques and approaches used in this research. We comment on the general nature of the metallorganic complexes used as precursors for these depositions, and the uniqueness that solid surfaces and the absence of liquid solvents bring to the ALD chemistry and differentiate it from what is known from metalorganic chemistry in solution. We then delve into the adsorption and thermal chemistry of those precursors, highlighting the complex and stepwise nature of the decomposition of the organic ligands that usually ensued upon their thermal activation. We discuss the criteria relevant for the selection of co-reactants to be used on the second half of the ALD cycle, with emphasis on the redox chemistry often associated with the growth of metallic films starting from complexes with metal cations. Additional considerations include the nature of the substrate and the final structural and chemical properties of the growing films, which we indicate rarely retain the homogeneous 2D structure often aimed for. We end with some general conclusions and personal thoughts about the future of this field.

Condensed Layer Deposition of Nanoscopic TiO2 Overlayers on High-Surface-Area Electrocatalysts

Encapsulating an electrocatalytic material with a semipermeable, nanoscopic oxide overlayer offers a promising approach to enhancing its stability, activity, and/or selectivity compared to an unencapsulated electrocatalyst. However, applying nanoscopic oxide encapsulation layers to high-surface-area electrodes such as nanoparticle-supported porous electrodes is a challenging task. This study demonstrates that the recently developed condensed layer deposition (CLD) method can be used for depositing nanoscopic (sub-10 nm thick) titanium dioxide (TiO2) overlayers onto high-surface-area platinized carbon foam electrodes. Characterization of the overlayers by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) showed that the films are amorphous, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that they exhibit TiO2 stoichiometry. Electrodes were also characterized by hydrogen underpotential deposition (Hupd) and carbon monoxide (CO) stripping, demonstrating that the Pt electrocatalysts remain electrochemically active after encapsulation. Additionally, copper underpotential deposition (Cuupd) measurements revealed that TiO2 overlayers are effective at blocking Cu2+ from reaching the TiO2/Pt buried interface and were used to estimate that between 43 and 98% of Pt surface sites were encapsulated. Overall, this study shows that CLD is a promising approach for depositing nanoscopic protective overlayers on high-surface-area electrodes.

High-Performance Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Comprising an Atomic Layer-Deposited Silver Cathode

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is emerging as an efficient tool for the precise manufacture of catalysts, owing to its sophisticated surface tailoring capabilities. To overcome the techno-economic limitations of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which are considered suitable alternatives to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the development of cost-efficient high-performance catalysts is essential. In this study, we successfully fabricated a Pt-free cathode for a hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell (HEMFC) with excellent oxygen reduction activity under extremely low loading of Ag electrocatalysts using ALD. Microstructural analysis confirmed that the surface modification by ALD-Ag nanoparticles exhibited excellent step coverage characteristics on porous carbon nanotubes (CNTs). An HEMFC comprising a CNT cathode surface-decorated with ALD-Ag nanoparticles delivered a high peak power density of 2154 mW mgAg-1 in an alkaline environment at 65 °C. This study demonstrates the applicability of ALD for the manufacture of highly active low-cost electrocatalysts for high-performance HEMFCs.

A Study of Support Effects for the Water-Gas-Shift Reaction over Cu

The water–gas-shift (WGS) reaction was studied on a series of supported Cu catalysts in which the MgAl2O4 (MAO) support was modified by depositing ZnO, CeO2, Mn2O3 and CoO using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). Addition of Cu by one ALD cycle gave rise to catalysts with nominally 1-wt% Cu. A 1.1-wt% Cu/MAO catalyst prepared by ALD exhibited twice the dispersion but ten times the WGS activity of a 1-wt% Cu/MAO catalyst prepared by impregnation, implying that the reaction is structure sensitive. However, Cu catalysts prepared with the ZnO, CeO2, and Mn2O3 films showed negligible differences from that of the Cu/MAO catalyst, implying that these oxides did not promote the reaction. Cu catalysts prepared on the CoO film showed a slightly lower activity, possibly due to alloy formation. The implications of these results for the development of better WGS catalysts is discussed.

Synthesis of High Surface Area-Group 13-Metal Oxides via Atomic Layer Deposition on Mesoporous Silica

The atomic layer deposition of gallium and indium oxide was investigated on mesoporous silica powder and compared to the related aluminum oxide process. The respective oxide (GaO_x, InO_x) was deposited using sequential dosing of trimethylgallium or trimethylindium and water at 150 °C. In-situ thermogravimetry provided direct insight into the growth rates and deposition behavior. The highly amorphous and well-dispersed nature of the oxides was shown by XRD and STEM EDX-mappings. N₂ sorption analysis revealed that both ALD processes resulted in high specific surface areas while maintaining the pore structure. The stoichiometry of GaO_x and InO_x was suggested by thermogravimetry and confirmed by XPS. FTIR and solid-state NMR were conducted to investigate the ligand deposition behavior and thermogravimetric data helped estimate the layer thicknesses. Finally, this study provides a deeper understanding of ALD on powder substrates and enables the precise synthesis of high surface area metal oxides for catalytic applications.

Designing Sites in Heterogeneous Catalysis: Are We Reaching Selectivities Competitive With Those of Homogeneous Catalysts?

A critical review of different prominent nanotechnologies adapted to catalysis is provided, with focus on how they contribute to the improvement of selectivity in heterogeneous catalysis. Ways to modify catalytic sites range from the use of the reversible or irreversible adsorption of molecular modifiers to the immobilization or tethering of homogeneous catalysts and the development of well-defined catalytic sites on solid surfaces. The latter covers methods for the dispersion of single-atom sites within solid supports as well as the use of complex nanostructures, and it includes the post-modification of materials via processes such as silylation and atomic layer deposition. All these methodologies exhibit both advantages and limitations, but all offer new avenues for the design of catalysts for specific applications. Because of the high cost of most nanotechnologies and the fact that the resulting materials may exhibit limited thermal or chemical stability, they may be best aimed at improving the selective synthesis of high value-added chemicals, to be incorporated in organic synthesis schemes, but other applications are being explored as well to address problems in energy production, for instance, and to design greener chemical processes. The details of each of these approaches are discussed, and representative examples are provided. We conclude with some general remarks on the future of this field.

Aligning time-resolved kinetics (TAP) and surface spectroscopy (AP-XPS) for a more comprehensive understanding of ALD-derived 2D and 3D model catalysts

Spectro-kinetic characterization of complex catalytic materials, i.e. relating the observed reaction kinetics to spectroscopic descriptors of the catalyst state, presents a fundamental challenge with a potentially significant impact on various...

Modulating Interactions between Molten Polystyrene and Porous Solids Using Atomic Layer Deposition

Understanding and modulating the interactions between molten polymers and porous solids is important for numerous processes and phenomena including catalytic conversion of polymers and fabrication of nanocomposites and nanostructured materials. Although changing the surface composition of pores would enable modulation of interactions between polymers and nanoporous solids, it is challenging to achieve such a control without inducing significant changes to the size and structure of nanopores. In this work, we demonstrate that the interactions between molten polystyrene (PS) and disordered packings of SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) can be modulated by changing the surface composition of the NPs using atomic layer deposition (ALD). A disordered packing of silica NPs is modified with varying surface coverages of TiO₂, WO₃, and CaCO₃, with coverages estimated by the mass gain and the refractive index change of NP packings. Based on the time required to fully infiltrate these ALD-modified NP packings via capillarity, the contact angles for PS on different surfaces prepared via ALD are determined. The contact angle gradually changes from that of pure SiO₂ to that of the fully covered surfaces. The contact angles for PS on SiO₂, TiO₂, WO₃, and CaCO₃ are found to be 20, 62, 70, and 10°, respectively. Interestingly, the contact angles and interfacial energies between PS and the ALD-modified surfaces do not correlate strongly with the water contact angle of these surfaces; thus, caution must be exercised in predicting how a polymer would wet or interact with porous solids solely based on their hydrophilicity. The method presented in this work can be extended to study the interactions between a wide range of polymers and surfaces in porous media, which will have important implications for designing new catalytic materials for polymer upcycling reactions and novel NP-polymer composite films and membranes with enhanced mechanical and transport properties.

Monolayer Support Control and Precise Colloidal Nanocrystals Demonstrate Metal-Support Interactions in Heterogeneous Catalysts

Electronic and geometric interactions between active and support phases are critical in determining the activity of heterogeneous catalysts, but metal-support interactions are challenging to study. Here, it is demonstrated how the combination of the monolayer-controlled formation using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and colloidal nanocrystal synthesis methods leads to catalysts with sub-nanometer precision of active and support phases, thus allowing for the study of the metal-support interactions in detail. The use of this approach in developing a fundamental understanding of support effects in Pd-catalyzed methane combustion is demonstrated. Uniform Pd nanocrystals are deposited onto Al₂ O₃ /SiO₂ spherical supports prepared with control over morphology and Al₂ O₃ layer thicknesses ranging from sub-monolayer to a ≈4 nm thick uniform coating. Dramatic changes in catalytic activity depending on the coverage and structure of Al₂ O₃ situated at the Pd/Al₂ O₃ interface are observed, with even a single monolayer of alumina contributing an order of magnitude increase in reaction rate. By building the Pd/Al₂ O₃ interface up layer-by-layer and using uniform Pd nanocrystals, this work demonstrates the importance of controlled and tunable materials in determining metal-support interactions and catalyst activity.

Scalable nanoporous carbon films allow line-of-sight 3D atomic layer deposition of Pt: towards a new generation catalyst layer for PEM fuel cells

Although nanoporous carbons are ubiquitous materials that are used in many clean energy and environmental applications, most are in powder form, thus requiring binders to hold particles together. This results in uncontrolled and complex pathways between particles, potentially exacerbating mass transport issues. To overcome these problems, we have developed an unprecedented binderless, self-supported, nanoporous carbon scaffold (NCS) with tunable and monodisperse pores (5-100+ nm), high surface area (ca. 200-575 m² g^-1), and 3-dimensional scalability (1-150+ cm², 1-1000 μm thickness). Here, it is shown that NCS85 membranes (85 nm pores) are particularly promising as a host for the homogeneous and efficient 3-D atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Pt nanoparticles, due to the facile penetration of gas phase Pt precursor throughout the homogeneous, low tortuosity internal structure. Furthermore, the high density of surface defects of the as-synthesized NCS promotes uniform Pt nucleation with minimal agglomeration. These advantageous features are key to the rapid oxygen reduction kinetics observed under polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell MEA testing conditions. Cells constructed with an optimal ALD Pt loading of 30 cycles are shown to exhibit a specific activity of ≥0.4 mA cm^-2_Pt which is exemplary when compared to two commercial catalyst layers with comparable Pt mass loadings and tested under the same conditions. Furthermore, a maximum power density of 1230 mW cm^-2 (IR-corrected) is obtained, with the limiting current densities approaching a very respectable 3 A cm^-2.

Growth Temperature Influence on Atomic-Layer-Deposited In2O3 Thin Films and Their Application in Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells

Recently, indium oxide (In₂O₃) thin films have emerged as a promising electron transport layer (ETL) for perovskite solar cells; however, solution-processed In₂O₃ ETL suffered from poor morphology, pinholes, and required annealing at high temperatures. This research aims to carry out and prepare pinhole-free, transparent, and highly conductive In₂O₃ thin films via atomic layer deposition (ALD) seizing efficiently as an ETL. In order to explore the growth-temperature-dependent properties of In₂O₃ thin film, it was fabricated by ALD using the triethyl indium (Et₃In) precursor. The detail of the ALD process at 115–250 °C was studied through the film growth rate, crystal structure, morphology, composition, and optical and electrical properties. The film growth rate increased from 0.009 nm/cycle to 0.088 nm/cycle as the growth temperature rose from 115 °C to 250 °C. The film thickness was highly uniform, and the surface roughness was below 1.6 nm. Our results confirmed that film’s structural, optical and electrical properties directly depend on film growth temperature. Film grown at ≥200 °C exhibited a polycrystalline cubic structure with almost negligible carbon impurities. Finally, the device ALD-In₂O₃ film deposited at 250 °C exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 10.97% superior to other conditions and general SnO₂ ETL.

Atomic Layer Deposition Coated Filters in Catalytic Filtration of Gasification Gas

Steel filter discs were catalytically activated by ALD, using a coating of supporting Al2O3 layer and an active NiO layer for gas cleaning. Prepared discs were tested for model biomass gasification and gas catalytic filtration to reduce or eliminate the need for a separate reforming unit for gasification gas tars and lighter hydrocarbons. Two different coating methods were tested. The method utilizing the stop-flow setting was shown to be the most suitable for the preparation of active and durable catalytic filters, which significantly decreases the amount of tar compounds in gasification gas. A pressure of 5 bar and temperatures of over 850 °C are required for efficient tar reforming. In optimal conditions, applying catalytic coating to the filter resulted in a seven-fold naphthalene conversion increase from 7% to 49%.

The Effect of Atomic Layer Deposited Overcoat on Co-Pt-Si/γ-Al2O3 Fischer–Tropsch Catalyst

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used to prepare a thin alumina layer on Fischer–Tropsch catalysts. Co-Pt-Si/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was overcoated with 15–40 cycles of Al2O3 deposited from trimethylaluminum (TMA) and water vapor, followed by thermal annealing. The resulting tailored Fischer–Tropsch catalyst with 35 cycle ALD overcoating had increased activity compared to unmodified catalyst. The increase in activity was achieved without significant loss of selectivity towards heavier hydrocarbons. Altered catalyst properties were assumed to result from cobalt particle stabilization by ALD alumina overcoating and nanoscale porosity of the overcoating. In addition to optimal thickness of the overcoat, thermal annealing was an essential part of preparing ALD overcoated catalyst.

Deconvolution of Water-Splitting on the Triple-Conducting Ruddlesden-Popper-Phase Anode for Protonic Ceramic Electrolysis Cells

Triple-conducting materials have been proved to improve the performance of popular protonic ceramic electrolysis cells. However, partially because of the complexity of the water-splitting reaction involving three charge carriers, that is, oxygen (O^2-), proton (H⁺), and electron (e^-), the triple-conducting reaction mechanism was not clear, and the reaction conducting pathways have seldom been addressed. In this study, the triple-conducting Ruddlesden-Popper phase Pr_1.75Ba_0.25NiO_4+δ as an anode on the BaCe_0.7Zr_0.1Y_0.1Yb_0.1O_3-δ electrolyte was fabricated and its electroresponses were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with various atmospheres and temperatures. The impedance spectra are deconvoluted by means of the distribution of the relaxation time method. The surface exchange rate and chemical diffusivity of H⁺ and O^2- are characterized by electrical conductivity relaxation. The physical locations of electrochemical processes are also identified by atomic layer deposition with a surface inhibitor. A microkinetics model is proposed toward conductivities, triple-conducting pathways, reactant dependency, surface exchange and bulk diffusion capabilities, and other relevant properties. Finally, the rate-limiting steps and suggestions for further improvement of electrode performance are presented.

Saturation profile based conformality analysis for atomic layer deposition: aluminum oxide in lateral high-aspect-ratio channels

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) raises global interest through its unparalleled conformality. This work describes new microscopic lateral high-aspect-ratio (LHAR) test structures for conformality analysis of ALD. The LHAR structures are made of silicon and consist of rectangular channels supported by pillars. Extreme aspect ratios even beyond 10 000 : 1 enable investigations where the adsorption front does not penetrate to the end of the channel, thus exposing the saturation profile for detailed analysis. We use the archetypical trimethylaluminum (TMA)-water ALD process to grow alumina as a test vehicle to demonstrate the applicability, repeatability and reproducibility of the saturation profile measurement and to provide a benchmark for future saturation profile studies. Through varying the TMA reaction and purge times, we obtained new information on the surface chemistry characteristics and the chemisorption kinetics of this widely studied ALD process. New saturation profile related classifications and terminology are proposed.

Designing Nanoparticles and Nanoalloys for Gas-Phase Catalysis with Controlled Surface Reactivity Using Colloidal Synthesis and Atomic Layer Deposition

Supported nanoparticles are commonly applied in heterogeneous catalysis. The catalytic performance of these solid catalysts is, for a given support, dependent on the nanoparticle size, shape, and composition, thus necessitating synthesis techniques that allow for preparing these materials with fine control over those properties. Such control can be exploited to deconvolute their effects on the catalyst's performance, which is the basis for knowledge-driven catalyst design. In this regard, bottom-up synthesis procedures based on colloidal chemistry or atomic layer deposition (ALD) have proven successful in achieving the desired level of control for a variety of fundamental studies. This review aims to give an account of recent progress made in the two aforementioned synthesis techniques for the application of controlled catalytic materials in gas-phase catalysis. For each technique, the focus goes to mono- and bimetallic materials, as well as to recent efforts in enhancing their performance by embedding colloidal templates in porous oxide phases or by the deposition of oxide overlayers via ALD. As a recent extension to the latter, the concept of area-selective ALD for advanced atomic-scale catalyst design is discussed.

Atomic Layer Deposition of ZnO on Mesoporous Silica: Insights into Growth Behavior of ZnO via In-Situ Thermogravimetric Analysis

ZnO is a remarkable material with many applications in electronics and catalysis. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO on flat substrates is an industrially applied and well-known process. Various studies describe the growth of ZnO layers on flat substrates. However, the growth characteristics and reaction mechanisms of atomic layer deposition of ZnO on mesoporous powders have not been well studied. This study investigates the ZnO ALD process based on diethylzinc (DEZn) and water with silica powder as substrate. In-situ thermogravimetric analysis gives direct access to the growth rates and reaction mechanisms of this process. Ex-situ analytics, e.g., N₂ sorption analysis, XRD, XRF, HRTEM, and STEM-EDX mapping, confirm deposition of homogenous and thin films of ZnO on SiO₂. In summary, this study offers new insights into the fundamentals of an ALD process on high surface area powders.

Thermal atomic layer deposition of gold nanoparticles: controlled growth and size selection for photocatalysis

Gold nanoparticles have been extensively studied for their applications in catalysis. For Au nanoparticles to be catalytically active, controlling the particle size is crucial. Here we present a low temperature (105 °C) thermal atomic layer deposition approach for depositing gold nanoparticles on TiO2 with controlled size and loading using trimethylphosphino-trimethylgold(iii) and two co-reactants (ozone and water) in a fluidized bed reactor. We show that the exposure time of the precursors is a variable that can be used to decouple the Au particle size from the loading. Longer exposures of ozone narrow the particle size distribution, while longer exposures of water broaden it. By studying the photocatalytic activity of Au/TiO2 nanocomposites, we show how the ability to control particle size and loading independently can be used not only to enhance performance but also to investigate structure-property relationships. This study provides insights into the mechanism underlying the formation and evolution of Au nanoparticles prepared for the first time via vapor phase atomic layer deposition. Employing a vapor deposition technique for the synthesis of Au/TiO2 nanocomposites eliminates the shortcomings of conventional liquid-based processes opening up the possibility of highly controlled synthesis of materials at large scale.

Magneto-ionic control of magnetism in two-oxide nanocomposite thin films comprising mesoporous cobalt ferrite conformally nanocoated with HfO2

Advances in nanotechnology require of robust methods to fabricate new types of nanostructured materials whose properties can be controlled at will using simple procedures. Nanoscale composites can benefit from actuation protocols that involve mutual interfacial interactions on the nanoscale. Herein, a method to create nanoscale composite thin films consisting of mesoporous cobalt ferrite (CFO) whose pore walls are nanocoated with HfO2 is presented. Porous CFO films are first prepared by sol-gel. Atomic layer deposition is subsequently used to conformally grow a HfO2 layer at the surface of the pore walls, throughout the thickness of the films. The magnetic properties of uncoated and HfO2-coated CFO mesoporous films are then modulated by applying external voltage, via magneto-ionic effects. The CFO-HfO2 composite films exhibit an enhanced magnetoelectric response. The magnetic moment at saturation of the composite increases 56% upon the application of -50 V (compared to 24% for CFO alone). Furthermore, dissimilar trends in coercivity are observed: after applying -50 V, the coercivity of the composite film increases by 69% while the coercivity of the CFO alone decreases by 25%. The effects can be reversed applying suitable positive voltages. This two-oxide nanocomposite material differs from archetypical magneto-ionic architectures, in which voltage-driven ion migration is induced between fully-metallic and oxide counterparts. The synthesized material is particularly appealing to develop new types of magnetoelectric devices with a highly tunable magnetic response.

Atomic Layer Deposition for Preparing Isolated Co Sites on SiO2 for Ethane Dehydrogenation Catalysis

Unlike Co clusters, isolated Co atoms have been shown to be selective for catalytic dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene; however, preparation of isolated Co sites requires special preparation procedures. Here, we demonstrate that Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)cobalt(III) (Co(TMHD)₃) on silica and other supports is effective in producing these isolated species. Silica-supported catalysts prepared with one ALD cycle showed ethylene selectivities greater than 96% at 923 K and were stable when CO₂ was co-fed with the ethane. Co catalysts prepared by impregnation formed clusters that were significantly less active, selective, and stable. Rates and selectivities also decreased for catalysts with multiple ALD cycles. Isolated Co catalysts prepared on Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ showed reasonable selectivity for ethane dehydrogenation but were not as effective as their silica counterpart.

Conformal Electrocatalytic Surface Nanoionics for Accelerating High-Temperature Electrochemical Reactions in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Additive implantation of electrocatalysts onto the internal surface of porous cathodes holds great promise to accelerate the electrochemical reactions within solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Here we utilize atomic layer deposition (ALD) to apply dual catalysts with (Mn_0.8Co_0.2)₃O₄ and a minute amount of Pt on the cathode consisting of lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Coating this material with optimum ALD layer thickness resulted in a 53% reduction of polarization resistance and a 350% SOFC peak power density enhancement at 750 °C. During the electrochemical operations, the dual catalysts interact synergistically and evolve into superjacent conformal electrocatalytic (Mn_0.8Co_0.2)₃O₄ nanoionics with high-density grain boundaries and subjacent discrete nano Pt particles evenly distributed on both the LSM and YSZ. The configuration consequently extends the active electrochemical reaction sites to the entire internal surface of the cathode. For the first time in the field of SOFCs, the present work demonstrates the formation of the electrocatalytic surface nanoionics and its resultant accelerated mass and charge transfer to dramatically boost the cell performance.

Atomic Layer Deposition on Dispersed Materials in Liquid Phase by Stoichiometrically Limited Injections

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a well-established vapor-phase technique for depositing thin films with high conformality and atomically precise control over thickness. Its industrial development has been largely confined to wafers and low-surface-area materials because deposition on high-surface-area materials and powders remains extremely challenging. Challenges with such materials include long deposition times, extensive purging cycles, and requirements for large excesses of precursors and expensive low-pressure equipment. Here, a simple solution-phase deposition process based on subsequent injections of stoichiometric quantities of precursor is performed using common laboratory synthesis equipment. Precisely measured precursor stoichiometries avoid any unwanted reactions in solution and ensure layer-by-layer growth with the same precision as gas-phase ALD, without any excess precursor or purging required. Identical coating qualities are achieved when comparing this technique to Al₂ O₃ deposition by fluidized-bed reactor ALD (FBR-ALD). The process is easily scaled up to coat >150 g of material using the same inexpensive laboratory glassware without any loss in coating quality. This technique is extended to sulfides and phosphates and can achieve coatings that are not possible using classic gas-phase ALD, including the deposition of phosphates with inexpensive but nonvolatile phosphoric acid.

“Intelligent” Pt Catalysts Based on Thin LaCoO3 Films Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition

LaCoO3 films were deposited onto MgAl2O4 powders by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and then used as catalyst supports for Pt. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the 0.5 nm films exhibited a perovskite structure after redox cycling at 1073 K, and scanning transmission electron microscopy and elemental mapping via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM/EDS) data demonstrated that the films covered the substrate uniformly. Catalysts prepared with 3 wt % Pt showed that the Pt remained well dispersed on the perovskite film, even after repeated oxidations and reductions at 1073 K. Despite the high Pt dispersion, CO adsorption at room temperature was negligible. Compared with conventional Pt on MgAl2O4, the reduced forms of the LaCoO3-containing catalyst were highly active for the CO oxidation and water gas shift (WGS) reactions, while the oxidized catalysts showed much lower activities. Surprisingly, the reduced catalysts were much less active than the oxidized catalysts for toluene hydrogen. Catalysts prepared from thin films of Co3O4 or La2O3 exhibited properties more similar to Pt/MgAl2O4. Possible reasons for how LaCoO3 affects properties are discussed.