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Ceria nanoclusters on graphene/Ru(0001): A new model catalyst system

The growth of ceria nanoclusters on single-layer graphene on Ru(0001) has been examined, with a view towards fabricating a stable system for model catalysis studies. The surface morphology and cluster distribution as a function of oxide coverage and substrate temperature has been monitored by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), whereas the chemical composition of the cluster deposits has been determined by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The ceria nanoparticles are of the CeO2(111)-type and are anchored at the intrinsic defects of the graphene surface, resulting in a variation of the cluster densities across the macroscopic sample surface. The ceria clusters on graphene display a remarkable stability against reduction in ultrahigh vacuum up to 900 K, but some sintering of clusters is observed for temperatures >450 K. The evolution of the cluster size distribution suggests that the sintering proceeds via a Smoluchowski ripening mechanism, i.e. diffusion and aggregation of entire clusters.

Ceria, CeO2, nanoclusters, graphene, Ru(0001), Smo↗

Ethanol Decomposition on Pd–Au Alloy Catalysts

The mechanisms of ethanol (EtOH) decomposition via C–C or C–O bond cleavage on alloy surfaces are currently not well understood. Here, we model EtOH decomposition on close-packed Pd–Au catalytic surfaces using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and derived Brønsted–Evans–Polanyi (BEP) relationships. Three characteristic Pd–Au surfaces are considered, Pd 1 Au 2 (111), Pd 2 Au 1 (111), and a Pd monolayer (ML), Pd ML (111), on a Au substrate. We show that, on close-packed Pd–Au surfaces, the C–C bond is easier to cleave than C–O, indicating that the formation of CH 4 and CO is favored as the products of EtOH decomposition. Interestingly, we find that, though the C–C and C–O activation barriers on Pd ML (111) are generally lower than those on the other two surfaces, it is less active for EtOH decomposition due to a slow release of H 2 and possible carbon coking. Pd 2 Au 1 (111), on the other hand, has a higher theoretical reaction rate due to facile H 2 evolution from the surface and less carbon coking. A comparison of the surface d-band with the activation energy barriers shows that there is a trade-off between the barriers for C–C bond cleavage and H 2 association, with Pd 2 Au 1 (111) having the best performance. Temperature-programmed desorption experiments of EtOH on Pd/Au surfaces show significant C–C bond cleavage and both CH 4 and CO production on surfaces with Pd–Au interface sites. Furthermore, neither Auger electron spectroscopy nor EtOH reflection–adsorption infrared spectroscopy provide evidence of C–O bond cleavage. Finally, the experimental reaction rate for methane production from C–C bond cleavage was higher on surfaces with more Au present due to minimal carbon contamination and the promotion of product desorption. This combined theoretical and experimental study shows that, though Au is catalytically inactive for EtOH decomposition, it can dramatically promote the surface activity for EtOH steam reforming due to the existence of active Pd–Au surface ensemble sites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗