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Title: The Surface Chemistry of Methanol on TiO2(110): Effects of Pressure and Temperature on the Stability of C–O and C–H Bonds

Journal Article · · The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

Synchrotron-based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) was used to study the surface chemistry of methanol on TiO2(110), examining the effects of methanol pressure, oxide temperature, and coadsorption with H2. At 300 K, the adsorption of methanol on TiO2(110) leads to the formation of CH3O on the surface with a minor amount of CH3OH present. The easy cleavage of the O–H bond in the alcohol agrees with the predictions of theoretical calculations, and most of the adsorbed CH3O was not associated with the presence of Ti3+ sites in the oxide substrate. The adsorbed CH3O was removed from the TiO2(110) surface by heating to 600 K without the deposition of CHx fragments or C on the oxide. The results of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) showed the evolution of methanol and formaldehyde at 360 and 490 K as a result of a disproportionation reaction: 2CH3O → CH3OH + CH2O. This surface chemistry, where there is no rupture of the C–O bond, and only selective cleavage of O–H and C–H bonds, is very different from that found on metals used in catalysts for methanol reforming, where massive conversion of the alcohol into CO, CHx and C species is seen. Furthermore, the TPD data indicate that any CH3O formed on the oxide surface can be hydrogenated and desorbed as CH3OH at temperatures below 550 K. In this respect, titania is an ideal support for catalysts employed to achieve methanol synthesis through CO2 hydrogenation.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division (CSGB); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0012704
OSTI ID:
2587792
Report Number(s):
BNL--228875-2025-JAAM
Journal Information:
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Journal Name: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C Journal Issue: 35 Vol. 129; ISSN 1932-7455; ISSN 1932-7447
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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