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H2O-Improved O2 activation on the Pd-Au bimetallic surface.
Sungmin Han1, Edward J Evans1, Gregory M Mullen2
1Department of Chemistry, Center for Nano and Molecular Science and Technology, Texas Materials Institute, Center for Electrochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-0231, USA. mullins@che.utexas.edu.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|March 25, 2017
Summary
Water co-adsorption enhances oxygen activation on palladium-gold (Pd-Au) surfaces. This interaction strengthens oxygen binding, significantly boosting its dissociation for potential catalytic applications.
Area of Science:
- Surface science and catalysis research.
- Investigating heterogeneous catalytic reactions on alloy surfaces.
Background:
- Understanding the activation of adsorbed oxygen (O2) is crucial for many catalytic processes.
- Palladium-gold (Pd-Au) alloys are promising catalytic materials, but their surface chemistry requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of co-adsorbed water (H2O) on the activation and dissociation of O2 on a Pd-Au(111) surface.
- To elucidate the interaction mechanisms between O2 and H2O on the alloy surface.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing surface science techniques to study adsorption and reaction dynamics.
- Monitoring the dissociation of O2 through the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2) upon exposure to carbon monoxide (CO).
Main Results:
- Co-adsorbed H2O significantly improves the activation of adsorbed O2 on the Pd-Au(111) surface.
- H2O strengthens the binding of O2 admolecules through intermolecular interactions.
- This enhanced binding leads to a substantial increase in O2 dissociation, evidenced by increased CO2 generation.
Conclusions:
- Co-adsorbed H2O acts as a promoter for O2 activation and dissociation on Pd-Au surfaces.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering co-adsorbed species in designing efficient catalytic systems.
- This work provides insights into the surface chemistry of Pd-Au alloys and their potential in oxidation reactions.
