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Enhancement of CO hydrogenation of rhodium by TiO/sub x/ overlayers

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5330284

The kinetics of CO hydrogenation at atmospheric pressure over a polycrystalline Rh foil with titania deposits were characterized with respect to the surface composition. The titania overlayers (TiO/sub x/, x approx. 1.9) were prepared by titanium evaporation under ultrahigh vacuum with subsequent oxidation. Coverages were determined by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). A sharp maximum in methanation activity, relative to the clean Rh surface, was observed with coverage. A threefold enhancement in activity was found for a TiO/sub x/ coverage of 0.15 of a monolayer. The increase in rate at low coverages was accompanied by a higher selectivity toward olefins (10% ..-->.. 31%), a lower activation energy (24.4 ..-->.. 16.8 kcalmol), a higher H/sub 2/ reaction order (1.0 ..-->.. 2.6), and a higher CO reaction order (-1.0 ..-->.. -0.3). The kinetic parameters for olefin production were noticeably different than those for paraffin production as well. The dependence of the activity on TiO/sub x/ coverage has been modeled through a Monte Carlo simulation assuming the existence of sites of high activity at the oxide-metal interface. This model is consistent with the premise of Ti/sup 3 +/ participation in the dissociation of CO. 33 references

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
5330284
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 106:2; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English