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Theoretical predictions of platinum-rhodium bimetallic catalysts

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6727273

After a general introduction to supported bimetallic catalysts and automobile catalytic converters (supports, base metal promoters, noble metals, deterioration of 3-way catalysts, current/future technology), a paper is presented for surface segregation in bimetallic catalysts: The catalytic properties are influenced by the structure of the cluster surface. Two methods are described to treat this problem, from the demanding corrected effective medium (CEM) theory (a non-self-consistent density functional based method) and the simple method of surface modified pair potentials. Predictions are compared with experiment for the heat of formation in Rh[sub x]Pt[sub 1[minus]x] alloys and for surface segregation in Rh[sub 0.9]Pt[sub 0.1](111). Results on shape, site composition, surface micromixing are shown for 201 atom clusters (dispersion of 0.6) and Rh[sub x]Pt[sub 1[minus]x](111). The CEM calculated cohesive energy of Rh is slightly smaller than for Pt, but the surface energy of Rh is larger: the driving force for surface segregation is the relative surface energies, not the relative cohesive energies. One can predict surface energy differences by accounting for the variation of the bond energy with coordination. Recommendations for the development of improved automobile exhaust catalysts are given. The Monte Carlo bimetallic simulation program is described.

Research Organization:
Ames Lab., IA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-82
OSTI ID:
6727273
Report Number(s):
IS-T-1635; ON: DE93007540
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English