A comparative density functional study of methanol decomposition on Cu{sub 4} and Co{sub 4} clusters.
A density functional theory study of the decomposition of methanol on Cu{sub 4} and Co{sub 4} clusters is presented. The reaction intermediates and activation barriers have been determined for reaction steps to form H{sub 2} and CO. For both clusters, methanol decomposition initiated by C-H and O-H bond breaking was investigated. In the case of a Cu{sub 4} cluster, methanol dehydrogenation through hydroxymethyl (CH{sub 2}OH), hydroxymethylene (CHOH), formyl (CHO), and carbon monoxide (CO) is found to be slightly more favorable. For a Co{sub 4} cluster, the dehydrogenation pathway through methoxy (CH{sub 3}O) and formaldehyde (CH{sub 2}O) is slightly more favorable. Each of these pathways results in formation of CO and H{sub 2}. The Co cluster pathway is very favorable thermodynamically and kinetically for dehydrogenation. However, since CO binds strongly, it is likely to poison methanol decomposition to H{sub 2} and CO at low temperatures. In contrast, for the Cu cluster, CO poisoning is not likely to be a problem since it does not bind strongly, but the dehydrogenation steps are not energetically favorable. Pathways involving C-O bond cleavage are even less energetically favorable. The results are compared to our previous study of methanol decomposition on Pd{sub 4} and Pd{sub 8} clusters. Finally, all reaction energy changes and transition state energies, including those for the Pd clusters, are related in a linear, Broensted?Evans?Polanyi plot.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- SC
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 993389
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/MSD/JA-66938
- Journal Information:
- J. Phys. Chem. B, Journal Name: J. Phys. Chem. B Journal Issue: Aug. 12, 2010 Vol. 114; ISSN 0022-3654
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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