Viktor Johánek

Catalytic activity and poisoning of specific sites on supported metal nanoparticles.

Typically, heterogeneous catalysts are based on nanometersized active particles, dispersed on an inert support material. In many cases it is assumed that the unique reactivities of such surfaces arise from the simultaneous presence of different active sites. On a molecular level, however, knowledge of the reaction kinetics of such systems is scarce (see e.g. refs. [1, 2] and references therein). Herein, we present first direct evidence for the different activity of coexisting sites on a well-defined supportednanoparticle system. As a model reaction we choose the decomposition of methanol on well-ordered Pd crystallites. For this reaction system two competing decomposition pathways exist (Figure 1): whereas dehydrogenation to CO

XPS, ISS and TPD study of Pd–Sn interactions on Pd–SnOx systems

Abstract The sensitivity and selectivity of SnO2 based gas sensors could be improved by doping of small amount of transition metals. In this work we used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ion scattering spectroscopy, and thermal desorption techniques to investigate Pd evaporated on SnOx thin layer substrate, prepared by spray pyrolysis. The evolution of Pd/SnOx layer morphology with increasing amount of Pd deposits was studied using the XPS inelastic background shape analysis. The observations are compared to the results obtained from natural SnO2 crystal and metallic Sn substrates. A strong Pd–Sn bimetallic interaction was observed, resulting in the formation of PdSn alloy of noble metal-like electronic structure. This feature also corresponds to the presence of two CO desorption states with low energy peaks at approximately 390 K. The relation of our results with the operation mechanism of gas detection are discussed.

CO adsorption on palladium model catalysts: XPS Pd–Al2O3 interaction study

The metal–substrate interaction (MSI) represents one of the most important effects determining the properties of supported catalysts. It is expected to be one of the driving forces of the size effect in catalysis. In this work we investigated the MSI by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in the case of small Pd particles deposited on γ- and α-alumina substrates. We compared the binding energy and initial state variations as a function of Pd coverage. The initial state has been found to be shifted to higher positive values for a more strongly interacting substrate (γ-Al2O3), whilst for the inert-like sapphire substrate the MSI was less important. The initial state shift value was associated with the electron transfer in the substrate clusters direction. It was shown that the substrate–metal charge transfer could be responsible for partial CO dissociation on γ-Al2O3 supported Pd particles.

Adsorption, decomposition and oxidation of methanol on alumina supported palladium particles

We have investigated the adsorption, decomposition and oxidation of methanol on a well-defined supported Pd model catalyst, utilizing a combination of molecular beam methods, reflection absorption IR spectroscopy (RAIRS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The Pd model catalyst is prepared under ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) conditions on a well-ordered Al2O3 film grown on NiAl(110). In previous studies, this model system has been characterized in detail with respect to its geometric and electronic structure. On the alumina support, two molecular adsorption states of methanol are distinguished by RAIRS and TPD. Moreover, we can differentiate between adsorption on the Pd particles and on the alumina support, enabling us to follow surface diffusion from the alumina film to the Pd particles during the adsorption process. Upon heating, methanol partially desorbs from the Pd particles and partially undergoes decomposition, with a reaction probability that is sensitively dependent on the initial methanol coverage. At 100 K, preadsorbed CO suppresses methanol adsorption on the Pd particles, whereas preadsorbed oxygen reduces the reaction probability. As a first intermediate, methoxy species are formed, which are stable up to temperatures of 200 K. Isotope exchange experiments indicate that a fast equilibrium is established between molecular methanol and methoxy species and that both species are rapidly exchanged with the gas phase. Further decomposition of methanol proceeds via two competing reaction pathways. The dominant pathway is dehydrogenation to CO, followed by CO2 formation in the presence of oxygen. Adsorbed oxygen has a pronounced inhibiting effect on the rate of decomposition. As a second pathway, we observe slow breakage of the carbon–oxygen bond, leading to formation of carbon and hydrocarbon species.

The Molecular Origins of Selectivity in Methanol Decomposition on Pd Nanoparticles

We have combined multi-molecular beam methods and in-situ time-resolved IR reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) to explore the kinetics of methanol decomposition on a supported Pd model catalyst. The well-shaped Pd nanoparticles are prepared under ultra-high vacuum conditions on a well-ordered alumina film and have previously been characterized with respect to size, density, and morphology.Two competing decomposition pathways are observed: Whereas dehydrogenation to CO represents the dominating reaction channel, C-O bond scission proceeds at much lower rates and leads to the formation of carbon and hydrocarbon species. Using CO as a probe molecule, we show via IRAS spectroscopy that these carbon and hydrocarbon species preferentially block defect sites on the Pd particles such as steps or edges, whereas the (111) facet sites are affected to a lesser extent.Employing quantitative IR\Sigma AS and steady-state isotope exchange experiments, the reaction rates for both channels are measured as a function of carbon coverage. It is found that with increasing carbon coverage, the rate of carbon formation drops rapidly, whereas the kinetics of dehydrogenation is hardly affected. These results demonstrate that the rate of C-O bond scission is drastically enhanced at the particle steps and edges, whereas for the dehydrogenation pathway this is not the case.

Methanol adsorption and decomposition on Pt/CeO2(111)/Cu(111) thin film model catalyst.

Adsorption and desorption of methanol on Pt particles on a CeO(2)(111)/Cu(111) thin film surface and on an ion-eroded Pt(111) single crystal were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and soft X-ray synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). Resonant PES was used to determine the occupancy of the Ce 4f states with high sensitivity. Multilayers of methanol were adsorbed at low temperature and subsequently desorbed by heating to 600 K. Methanol desorption is accompanied by the formation of chemisorbed methoxy -OCH(3). Cerium oxide surface is strongly reduced by methanol, which was detected via the transition Ce(4+) --> Ce(3+) and an increase of the Ce 4f electronic state occupancy. Partial C-O bond scission and formation of atomic carbon was observed on the Pt particles as well as on the rough Pt(111) surface. On Pt/CeO(2)(111), all traces of surface carbon and residual hydrocarbons disappear at 500 K.

XPS and TDS study of CO interaction with Pd–AlOx systems

Abstract The metal–substrate and metal–metal interactions (MSI, MMI) represent important effects determining the properties of supported catalysts, gas sensors and gettering alloys. We investigated the MSI and MMI effects by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) in the case of Pd films deposited on Al 2 O 3 and Al substrates. The study shows that the particle-size dependent metal–substrate interaction plays an important role in CO–Pd chemisorption, namely, in the case of “aluminium rich” Pd–aluminium oxide interface. CO chemisorption exhibits a low-temperature desorption feature at 360 K characteristic for Pd–Al and very small Pd particles. The MSI is explained by the formation of a Pd–Al intermetallic interface exhibiting a strong bimetallic Pd–Al interaction.

Role of Pd–Al bimetallic interaction in CO adsorption and catalytic properties of bulk PdAl alloy: XPS, ISS, TDS, and SIMS study

Abstract CO adsorption on the bulk PdAl bimetallic systems has been studied using XPS, ISS, TDS, and SIMS under UHV conditions. Pd exhibits strong interaction with Al atoms resulting in the formation of noble metal-like electronic structure of PdAl alloy. The shifts of both Pd core levels and of Pd valence d-band centroid towards higher binding energies compared to bulk Pd were observed. The surface structure of the alloy changes with temperature (Al surface segregation), ion bombardment (preferential Al sputtering), and is also strongly affected by the presence of ambient CO. The Pd–Al bond is weakened upon the interaction with CO, which tends to dissociate on the surface even at room temperature, with carbon fraction bonding to Pd atoms and oxygen to Al. The TDS of CO spectra consisted of one to three desorption peaks, all lying lower than those from Pd foil, indicating a distinct weakening of the Pd–CO chemisorption bond. Moreover, the partial CO dissociation on PdAl was indicated both as adsorption capacity decay and CO2 and H2O production.

Local reaction rates and surface diffusion on nanolithographically prepared model catalysts: Experiments and simulations

Combining molecular beam methods and angular resolved mass spectrometry, we have studied the angular distribution of desorbing products during CO oxidation on a planar Pd/silica supported model catalyst. The model catalyst was prepared by means of electron beam lithography, allowing individual control of particle size, position, and aspect ratio, and was characterized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy before and after reaction. In the experiment, both oxygen and CO rich regimes were investigated using separate molecular beams for the two reactants. This allows exploration of diffusion effects of reactants on the particles and of shadowing and backscattering phenomena. A reaction-diffusion model was developed in order to extract information about local reaction rates on the surface of the catalyst nanoparticles. The model takes into account the structural parameters of the catalyst as well as the backscattering of the reactants and products from the support. It allows a quantitative description of the experimental data and provides a detailed understanding of temperature and reactant flux dependent effects. Moreover, information on the surface mobility of oxygen under steady-state reaction conditions could be obtained by comparison with the experimental results.

Static SIMS study of TiZrV NEG activation

Abstract In this work properties of TiZrV getter films prepared on stainless steel substrates by magnetron sputtering were investigated. Changes of sample surface during thermal activation were studied by means of static secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SSIMS). The SIMS measurements reflect the disappearance of the superficial oxide layer covering air-exposed TiZrV surfaces. Two samples of different Ti:Zr:V stoichiometries were investigated. Both samples were active after heating to 200°C. Molecular ion intensity ratios MX + /M + (X=O, C, H, OH) have been considered to be directly coverage sensitive. The determined X-species coverage on sample surface has been found to be dependent on rates of adsorption and diffusion into the bulk, respectively.