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Novel Au-TiC Catalysts for CO Oxidation and Desulfurization Processes

Journal Article · · Catalysis Today

Recent articles dealing with the physical and chemical properties of novel Au-TiC catalysts are reviewed. High-resolution photoemission, scanning tunneling microscopy and first-principles periodic density-functional calculations were used to study the deposition of gold on a TiC(0 0 1) surface. Gold grows forming two-dimensional (very low coverage) and three-dimensional (medium and large coverage) islands on the carbide substrate. A positive shift in the binding energy of the C 1s core level is observed after the deposition of Au on TiC(0 0 1). The results of the density-functional calculations corroborate the formation of Au-C bonds. In general, the bond between Au and the TiC(0 0 1) surface exhibits very little ionic character, but there is a substantial polarization of electrons around Au that facilitates bonding of the adatoms with electron-acceptor molecules (CO, O{sub 2}, C{sub 2}H{sub 4}, SO{sub 2}, thiophene, etc.). Experimental measurements indicate that Au/TiC(0 0 1) is a very good catalysts for the oxidation of CO, the destruction of SO{sub 2} and the hydrodesulfurization of thiophene. At temperatures below 200 K, Au/TiC(0 0 1) is able to perform the 2CO + O{sub 2} {yields} 2CO{sub 2} reaction and the full decomposition of SO{sub 2}. Furthermore, in spite of the very poor hydrodesulfurization performance of TiC(0 0 1) or Au(1 1 1), a Au/TiC(0 0 1) surface displays a hydrodesulfurization activity higher than that of conventional Ni/MoS{sub x} catalysts. Metal carbides are excellent supports for enhancing the chemical reactivity of gold. The Au/TiC system is more chemically active than systems generated by depositing Au nanoparticles on oxide surfaces.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
1019577
Report Number(s):
BNL--90970-2011-JA; KC0302010
Journal Information:
Catalysis Today, Journal Name: Catalysis Today Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 166; ISSN 0920-5861; ISSN CATTEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English