Jianjun Mao

Density functional study on the mechanism for the highly active palladium monolayer supported on titanium carbide for the oxygen reduction reaction.

The adsorption, diffusion, and dissociation of O2 on the palladium monolayer supported on TiC(001) surface, MLPd/TiC(001), are investigated using ab initio density functional theory calculations. Strong adhesion of palladium monolayer to the TiC(001) support, accompanied by a modification of electronic structure of the supported palladium, is evidenced. Compared with Pt(111) surface, the MLPd/TiC(001) can enhance the adsorption of O2, leading to comparable dissociation barrier and a smaller diffusion barrier of O2. Whilst the adsorption strength of atomic O (the dissociation product of O2) on MLPd/TiC(001) is similar to that on the Pt(111) surface, possessing high mobility, our theoretical results indicate that MLPd/TiC(001) may serve as a good catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Interactions of small platinum clusters with the TiC(001) surface

Density functional theory calculations are used to elucidate the interactions of small platinum clusters (Ptn, n = 1–5) with the TiC(001) surface. The results are analyzed in terms of geometric, energetic, and electronic properties. It is found that a single Pt atom prefers to be adsorbed at the C-top site, while a Pt2 cluster prefers dimerization and a Pt3 cluster forms a linear structure on the TiC(001). As for the Pt4 cluster, the three-dimensional distorted tetrahedral structure and the two-dimensional square structure almost have equal stability. In contrast with the two-dimensional isolated Pt5 cluster, the adsorbed Pt5 cluster prefers a three-dimensional structure on TiC(001). Substantial charge transfer takes place from TiC(001) surface to the adsorbed Ptn clusters, resulting in the negatively charged Ptn clusters. At last, the d-band centers of the absorbed Pt atoms and their implications in the catalytic activity are discussed.

Efficient noble metal nanocatalysts supported on HfC(001) for O2 dissociation

The adsorption and dissociation of O2 on the M4 (M=Au, Pd, Pt) clusters supported on HfC(001) (Hafnium Carbide) are investigated using ab initio density functional theory calculations. The geometric and electronic structures are analyzed in detail. It is found that the dissociation barriers of O2 on Au4/HfC(001) (0.26 eV), Pd4/HfC(001) (0.49 eV) and Pt4/HfC(001) (0.09 eV) are much smaller than those on the clean surfaces of HfC(001) (1.60 eV), Au(111) (1.37 eV), Pd(111) (1.0 and 0.91 eV) and Pt(111) (0.27–0.7 eV), respectively. The low dissociation barriers imply that the Pt4/HfC(001) exhibits the highest catalytic activity for O2 dissociation, and the Au4/HfC(001) and Pd4/HfC(001) may also be possible substitutes with lower cost for the current Pt/C catalyst for O2 dissociation. The present study is conductive to designing new efficient noble metal catalyst using HfC support for efficiently promoting O2 dissociation.