Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
Visualization of the Distance-Dependent Synergistic Interaction in Heterogeneous Dual-Site Catalysis
Shuaiwei Jiang1, Jiawei Xue1, Tong Liu1,2
1School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029, P.R. China.
Optimizing interfacial hydroxyl (OH) distance in dual-site catalysts enhances synergistic catalysis. Precise spacing is key for efficient reactant deprotonation and high catalytic activity, as shown in formic acid oxidation.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
- Surface Science
Background:
- Interfacial hydroxyl (OH) groups are critical for synergistic catalysis at solid/liquid interfaces.
- Understanding the spatial relationship between OH and reactants is challenging but vital for reaction kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To visualize and quantify the distance-dependent synergistic effects of interfacial OH in heterogeneous dual-site catalysis.
- To elucidate the role of OH in reactant deprotonation based on its proximity to active sites.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ex-situ infrared nanospectroscopy and in situ infrared spectroscopy.
- Investigated dual-site catalysts with modulated Inter-Rh (Ir-Co) and Inter-Ruthenium (Ir-Ru) pair distances.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that OH facilitates deprotonation, with efficiency dependent on site distance.
- Identified an optimal Ir-Co distance of 7.9 Å for high-efficiency synergism, linked to dynamic OH equilibrium.
- Observed diminished synergy at suboptimal distances due to OH accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Established a universal volcano-shaped relationship between spatial distance and catalytic activity (mass activity).
- Highlighted the significance of dynamic equilibrium and spatial distance for synergistic catalysis, applicable to various oxophilic metals.
Related Concept Videos
Catalysis
Enzymes
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...
Induced-fit Model
Enzymes exhibit substrate specificity, meaning that they can only bind to certain substrates. This is mainly determined by the shape and chemical...
Ligand Binding and Linkage
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
E2 Reaction: Kinetics and Mechanism

