Nanopattering in CeOx/Cu(111): A New Type of Surface Reconstruction and Enhancement of Catalytic Activity

Journal Article · Thu Apr 05 04:00:00 EDT 2012 · Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

OSTI ID:1044033

A, Rodriguez J; Senanayake, S D; Sadowski, J; Evans, J; Kundu, S; Agnoli, S; Yang, F; Stacchiola, D; Flege, J I; Hrbek, J

Our results indicate that small amounts of an oxide deposited on a stable metal surface can trigger a massive surface reconstruction under reaction conditions. In low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM) experiments, no reconstruction of Cu(111) is observed after chemisorbing oxygen or after reducing O/Cu(111) in a CO atmosphere. On the other hand, LEEM images taken in situ during the reduction of CeO{sub 2}/CuO{sub 1-x}/Cu(111) show a complex nonuniform transformation of the surface morphology. Ceria particles act as nucleation sites for the growth of copper microterraces once CuO{sub 1-x} is reduced. Can this reconstructed surface be used to enhance the catalytic activity of inverse oxide/metal catalysts? Indeed, CeO{sub x} on reconstructed Cu(111) is an extremely active catalyst for the water-gas shift process (CO + H{sub 2}O {yields} H{sub 2} + CO{sub 2}), with the Cu microterraces providing very efficient sites for the dissociation of water and subsequent reaction with CO.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1044033
• Report Number(s): BNL--96922-2012-JA; KC0302010
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CATALYSTS
COPPER
DISSOCIATION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
MORPHOLOGY
NUCLEATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN
TRANSFORMATIONS
WATER
WATER GAS
national synchrotron light source