Electronic structure of metal (M = Au, Pt, Pd, or Ru) bilayer modified ∞-Fe2O3(0001) surfaces

K. Wong, Q. H. Zeng, A. B. Yu

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    26 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Metal modified metal oxides are promising and economical catalysts for important processes such as CO oxidation and the partial oxidation of methanol. The present work is to investigate, by density functional theory, the electronic and geometric structures of metal (M = Au, Pt, Pd, or Ru) bilayer modified ∞-Fe2O3(0001) catalysts, focusing on the synergistic effect at the interface between the metal bilayer and ∞-Fe2O3( 0001) support and its connection with its catalytic activity. It is found that the synergistic effect is largely dependent on the localized electron gain, electron transfer from Fe atoms to the dz2 orbitals of the metal bilayer, and interfacial metallic/ionic bonding. Such synergistic effect is most pronounced for ∞-Fe2O3 catalysts modified with the Pt or Ru bilayer. The Au bilayer modified ∞-Fe2O3 catalyst is the most stable due to the low structural deformation of ∞-Fe2O3 support, minimal surface Fe atom spin quenching, and long Au-Fe bonds. The ∞-Fe2O3 catalyst modified with Ru bilayer displays the optimal balance of the synergistic effect and structural stability that can enhance catalytic activity.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)4656-4663
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry C
    Volume115
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

    Keywords

    • Hematite
    • catalysts
    • charge exchange
    • metallic oxides
    • minimal surfaces
    • oxidation

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