DOE OSTI2013
The conversion of diols on partially reduced TiO 2 (110) at low coverage was studied using variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, temperature programmed desorption and density functional theory calculations. We find, that below ~230 K, ethane-1,2-diol and propane-1,3-diol molecules adsorb predominantly on five-fold coordinated Ti5c atoms. The dynamic equilibrium between molecularly bound and dissociated species resulting from O-H bond scission and reformation is observed. As the diols start to diffuse on the Ti5c rows above ~230 K, they dissociate irreversibly upon encountering bridging oxygen (O b ) vacancy (VO’s) defects. Two dissociation pathways, one via O-H and the other via C-O bond scission leading to identical surface intermediates, hydroxyalkoxy, O b -(CH 2 )n-OH (n = 2, 3) and bridging hydroxyl, HO b , are seen. For O-H bond scission, the O b -(CH 2 )n-OH is found on the position of the original VO, while for C-O scission it is found on the adjacent Ob site. Theoretical calculations suggest that the observed mixture of C-O/O-H bond breaking processes are a result of the steric factors enforced upon the diols by the second OH group that is bound to a Ti5c site. At room temperature, rich dissociation/reformation dynamics of the second, Ti5c-bound O-H leads to the formation of dioxo, Ob-(CH 2 )n-OTi, species. Above ~400 K, both O b -(CH 2 )n-OH and Ob-(CH 2 )n-OTi species convert into a new intermediate, that is centered on Ob row. Combined experimental and theoretical evidence shows that this intermediate is most likely a new dioxo, O b -(CH 2 ) 2 -Ob, species. Further annealing leads to sequential C-Ob bond cleavage and alkene desorption above ~ 500 K. Simulations find that the sequential C-O bond breaking process follows a homolytic diradical pathway with the first C-O bond breaking event accompanied by a non-adiabatic electron transfer within the TiO 2 (110) substrate.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗