Nanopattering in CeOx/Cu(111): A New Type of Surface Reconstruction and Enhancement of Catalytic Activity
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 Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 1044033
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-96922-2012-JA; R&D Project: CO-009; KC0302010; TRN: US201214%%287
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Vol. 3, Issue 7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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