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Title: Direct atomic-scale observation of redox-induced cation dynamics in an oxide-supported monolayer catalyst : WO{sub x}/{alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001).

Journal Article · · JACS Comm.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja906816y· OSTI ID:991618

For the case of one-third of a monolayer of tungsten grown by atomic layer deposition on a hematite {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001) surface, we report direct atomic-scale observations of the structural and chemical changes that occur as this model interfacial system evolves from the as-deposited state to the oxidized state, then to the reduced state, and finally back to the oxidized state. In situ X-ray standing-wave atomic images relative to the hematite lattice show dramatic (but redox-reversible) changes to the W cation locations with respect to the occupied and unoccupied Fe surface sites. These structural changes are concurrent with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy chemical shift changes, where W is observed to go from the 6+ to 5+ oxidation state. These novel observations of redox-induced cation dynamics in an oxide-supported catalyst are explained by models that account for W incorporation at the interface in Fe sites with various coordination schemes. Our proposed structure models are supported by our X-ray absorption fine structure measurements.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Science Foundation (NSF)
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
991618
Report Number(s):
ANL/XSD/JA-68211; JACSAT; TRN: US201021%%254
Journal Information:
JACS Comm., Vol. 131, Issue 2009; ISSN 0002-7863
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH