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Published on: February 11, 2018
Encapsulated Pd nanocrystals supported by nanoline-structured SrTiO3(001)
Fabien Silly1, Martin R Castell
1Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PH, UK.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|July 21, 2006
Summary
Strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) in palladium nanocrystals on SrTiO(3) surfaces creates encapsulated oxide layers. Scanning tunneling microscopy revealed two distinct superstructures, explained by noncommensurate TiO(x) surface layers forming Moiré patterns.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) is crucial for catalytic activity in metal-oxide systems.
- Understanding SMSI requires detailed characterization of the interface between metal nanoparticles and oxide supports.
- Palladium (Pd) nanocrystals on strontium titanate (SrTiO3) are model systems for studying SMSI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural characteristics of palladium nanocrystals on a nanostructured SrTiO3(001) surface after annealing.
- To elucidate the nature of the oxide adlayer formed during the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) state.
- To analyze the resulting surface superstructures using high-resolution microscopy.
Main Methods:
- Growth of palladium nanocrystals on a nanostructured SrTiO3(001) substrate.
- Annealing in ultrahigh vacuum at 620°C to induce the SMSI state.
- Surface characterization using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM).
Main Results:
- Annealing induced the SMSI state, characterized by encapsulation of Pd clusters with an oxide layer.
- STM revealed two distinct superstructures on the Pd(111) cluster surfaces.
- These superstructures exhibit different lattice parameters and crystallographic rotations.
- The observed patterns were interpreted as two distinct Moiré patterns arising from noncommensurate TiO(x) surface layers.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully characterized the SMSI state on Pd/SrTiO3(001) surfaces.
- Two unique Moiré patterns were identified, providing insights into the oxide encapsulation.
- Noncommensurate TiO(x) layers are key to understanding the observed superstructures and the SMSI phenomenon.
