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Published on: April 10, 2019
Planar Au/TiO2 model catalysts: fabrication, characterization and catalytic activity
Menhild Eyrich1, Stefan Kielbassa, Thomas Diemant
1Institut für Oberflächenchemie und Katalyse, Universität Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Summary
This study compares gold on titanium dioxide (Au/TiO2) catalysts for CO oxidation. Reduced TiO2 supports enhance catalytic activity compared to stoichiometric ones, possibly due to titanium interstitials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Planar gold/titanium dioxide (Au/TiO2) model catalysts are crucial for understanding catalytic reactions.
- The performance of these catalysts is sensitive to the preparation method and the nature of the TiO2 support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize different types of planar Au/TiO2 model catalysts.
- To investigate the catalytic activity of these model catalysts in the CO oxidation reaction.
- To explore the influence of the TiO2 support's properties on catalytic performance.
Main Methods:
- Production of Au/TiO2 model catalysts using physical vapor deposition and micelle-based chemical routes.
- Characterization via surface science methods (AFM, XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Activity analysis in a microflow reactor for CO oxidation.
Main Results:
- Au/TiO2 catalysts on stoichiometric TiO2(110) showed low activity.
- Catalysts on reduced TiO2(110) and thin TiO2 films on Ru(0001) exhibited higher activity.
- The presence of Ti interstitials in reduced TiO2(110) is discussed as a factor influencing CO oxidation.
Conclusions:
- The catalytic activity of Au/TiO2 model catalysts is significantly influenced by the TiO2 support's stoichiometry and structure.
- Reduced TiO2 supports, potentially containing Ti interstitials, enhance CO oxidation activity.
- Further investigation into the role of defects in the TiO2 support is warranted.
