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Soft X-ray spectroscopy studies of adsorption and reaction of CO in the presence of H 2 over 6 nm MnO nanoparticles supported on mesoporous Co 3 O 4
MnO nanoparticles (6 nm) were supported on mesoporous spinel Co 3 O 4 and studied using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) during hydrogenation of CO. The nature and evolution of surface adsorbed species as well as the oxidation states of the metal oxide surfaces were evaluated under oxidizing, reducing, and H 2 + CO (2:1) reaction atmospheres. From APXPS, MnO nanoparticle surfaces were found to be progressively reduced in H 2 atmospheres with increasing temperature. Surface adsorbed CO was found to be formed at the expense of lattice O under H 2 + CO reaction conditions. In situ XAS indicated that the dominant oxide species were Co(OH) 2 , Co (II) oxides, MnO, and Mn 3 O 4 under reaction conditions. In situ XAS also indicated the formation of gas phase CO 2 , the disappearance of lattice O, and the further reduction of Mn 3 O 4 to MnO upon prolonged reaction in H 2 + CO. Mass spectroscopy measurements showed the formation of CO 2 and hydrocarbons. Finally, the spent catalyst was investigated using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and (scanning) transmission electron microscopy; the catalyst grains were found to be homogeneous.
Quenching of electron transfer reactions through coadsorption: A study of oxygen photodesorption from TiO2(110)
Using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and photon stimulated desorption (PSD), we show that coadsorbates of varying binding energies on the rutile TiO2(110) surface exert a commensurate inhibiting influence on the hole-mediated photodesorption of adsorbed O2. A variety of coadsorbates (Ar, Kr, Xe, N2, CO, CO2, CH4, N2O, acetone, methanol or water) were shown to quench O2 photoactivity, with the extent correlating with the coadsorbate’s gas phase basicity, which in turn determines the strength of the coadsorbate-Ti4+ bond. Coadsorbed rare gases inhibited the photodesorption of O2 by ~10-25%, whereas strongly bound species (water, methanol and acetone) nearly completely inhibited O2 PSD. We suggest that coadsorption of these molecules inhibit the arrival probability of holes to the surface. Band bending effects, which vary with the extent of charge transfer between the coadsorbate and the TiO2(110) surface, are not expected to be significant in the cases of the rare gases and physisorbed species. These results indicate that neutral coadsorbates can exert a significant influence on charge transfer events by altering the interfacial dipole in the vicinity of the target molecule. This work was supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences. The work was performed using EMSL, a national scientific user facility sponsored by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research and located at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). PNNL is a multiprogram national laboratory operated for DOE by Battelle under Contract DE-AC05-76RL01830.
Reaction pathways of furfural, furfuryl alcohol and 2-methylfuran on Cu(111) and NiCu bimetallic surfaces
Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is an important reaction for converting biomass-derived furfural to value-added 2-methylfuran, which is a promising fuel additive. In this work, the HDO of furfural to produce 2-methylfuran occurred on the NiCu bimetallic surfaces prepared on either Ni(111) or Cu(111). The reaction pathways of furfural were investigated on Cu(111) and Ni/Cu(111) surfaces using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) experiments. These studies provided mechanistic insights into the effects of bimetallic formation on enhancing the HDO activity. Specifically, furfural weakly adsorbed on Cu(111), while it strongly adsorbed on Ni/Cu(111) through an η 2 (C,O) configuration which led to the HDO of furfural on Ni/Cu(111). Lastly, the ability to dissociate H 2 on Ni/Cu(111) is also an important factor for enhancing the HDO activity over Cu(111).
Atomic and molecular adsorption on Fe(110)
Iron is the principal catalyst for the ammonia synthesis process and the Fischer–Tropsch process, as well as many other heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. It is thus of fundamental importance to understand the interactions between the iron surface and various reaction intermediates. Here in this paper, we present a systematic study of atomic and molecular adsorption behavior over Fe(110) using periodic, self-consistent density functional theory (DFT-GGA) calculations. The preferred binding sites, binding energies, and the corresponding surface deformation energies of five atomic species (H, C, N, O, and S), six molecular species (NH 3 , CH 4 , N 2 , CO, HCN, and NO), and eleven molecular fragments (CH, CH 2 , CH 3 , NH, NH 2 , OH, CN, COH, HCO, NOH, and HNO) were determined on the Fe(110) surface at a coverage of 0.25 monolayer. The binding strengths calculated using the PW91 functional decreased in the following order: C> CH > N > O > S > NH > COH > CN > CH2 > NOH > OH > HNO > HCO > NH2 > H > NO > HCN > CH 3 > CO > N 2 > NH 3 . No stable binding structures were observed for CH 4 . The estimated diffusion barriers and pathways, as well as the adsorbate-surface and intramolecular vibrational modes of all the adsorbates at their preferred binding sites, were identified. Using the calculated adsorption energetics, we constructed the potential energy surfaces for a few surface reactions including the decomposition of methane, ammonia, dinitrogen, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide. These potential energy surfaces provide valuable insight into the ability of Fe(110) to catalyze common elementary steps.
Complex reactions on a convertible catalyst surface: A study of the S-O-Cu system
The interaction of clean and partially oxidized Cu(110) with sulphur was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations in the low-coverage range. On the clean Cu surface individual S atoms adsorb in the troughs between the Cu atom rows. Hollow sites are preferred, but long-bridge sites are occasionally occupied as well. The majority of adsorbed S, however, seems to be involved in the formation of highly mobile Cu x S y clusters of various sizes. The clusters preferentially attach to steps thus changing the step morphology completely. Some of the clusters form aggregates on the terraces. On the partially oxidized surface similar clusters form and cause long-range mass transport to steps. Additionally, nanowires form in [001] direction on and along the surface oxide stress domains. These nanowires have a complex composition, exhibit different corrugations and appear sometimes as three-dimensional needles. Occasionally they flip their direction by 90°, but doing so they partially decompose. Finally, annealing of the S-O-Cu surface leads to consumption of the surface oxide stripes indicating loss of oxygen presumably via SO 2 formation. Simultaneously, linear sulphur chains suspended between the [001] –O-Cu-O- chains form in [11¯0] direction. The surprising multitude of processes and products even at low-pressure, low-temperature conditions in the comparatively simple S-O-Cu system highlights the difficulty of controlling reactivity and selectivity on such convertible catalyst surfaces.
Subtle and reversible interactions of ambient pressure H 2 with Pt/Cu(111) single-atom alloy surfaces
Pt-Cu single-atom alloys (SAA) have been identified as promising hydrogenation catalysts with an ability to activate H 2 better than the individual metals alone. We studied the interaction between H 2 and Pt/Cu(111) SAA model surface using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS). A binding energy shift in the Pt 4f spectrum indicates the presence of adsorbed H at 350 K, occurring because of HeH bond activation. No evidence was found of either surface segregation, subsurface diffusion of Pt atoms, or any effects on the thermal stability of the surface, likely due to the subtle interaction between Pt and H. This shift is reversible upon evacuation of H 2 , which is a sign of a weak interaction. In addition, we studied the effect of H 2 and CO coadsorption and found that while the surface is unaffected by poisoning by a small amount of CO at 350 K, CO can displace adsorbed H on almost half of the surface Pt sites at 300 K. The susceptibility to CO poisoning increases after the surface was heated to 450 K due to changes in the structure of the subsurface layer that enhance the binding of CO to the surface Pt sites.
Oxygen adsorption on spontaneously reconstructed Au(511)
The four-fold site on {100} facets, which are potential catalytic sites on high-curvature gold nanoparticles, is difficult to prepare on a gold single crystal due to surface reconstruction. Here, the Au(511) surface with a high density of step edges and a well-maintained {100} local structure was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Annealing at 550 K and 870 K induces reconstruction on the Au(511) surface to a mixture of (311) and (711) micro-terraces. At room temperature and low oxygen coverage, oxygen adsorbs at both three- and four-fold sites on the surface, leading to a well-ordered zig-zag structure. Oxygen atoms cause significant orbital hybridization and a slight displacement of the gold atoms to which they bind. High oxygen coverages induce the formation of clusters, which are not active towards oxidation of isopropanol at room temperature and a pressure of 10-10 mbar. Oxygen adsorption saturates at 1 monolayer (ML), and two separate oxygen recombinative desorption peaks were observed at coverages above 0.11 ML. Our characterization of this surface and the O adsorption structure allows future studies of {100} micro-terraces for oxidation reactions, which contributes to studies on gold-based catalysts with an irregular shape.
XPS and NEXAFS study of the reactions of acetic acid and acetaldehyde over UO2(100) thin film
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Comparing the performance of density functionals in describing the adsorption of atoms and small molecules on Ni(111)
Reaction networks calculated using density functional theory (DFT) play a crucial role in understanding and predicting heterogeneous catalyst performance. However, results obtained using different density functionals can vary significantly. Accordingly, it is important to assess the accuracy of available functionals in capturing adsorption energetics derived from single-crystal adsorption microcalorimetry experiments. Here, we evaluate how different density functionals describe the molecular and dissociative adsorption of CH 3 I, the adsorption of CH 3 , I, and H, and the dissociative adsorption of CH 4 on Ni(111). First, we identify energetically-preferred adsorbed states for each adsorbate at three surface coverages and calculate the corresponding enthalpies of adsorption at 160 K. Then, we compare the results to experimental measurements published in the literature. For each adsorption process we find at least one functional that is quantitatively accurate within experimental error, but no functional is accurate (within experimental error) for all adsorption processes studied. Even when assuming an additional DFT error of ±20 kJ/mol on top of the experimental error, only the PBE-D3 and RPBE-D3 functionals are accurate for all considered adsorption systems. Overall, these results indicate that quantitative agreement between density functional theory calculations and experimental measurements is both system- and functional-dependent. Importantly, single-crystal adsorption microcalorimetry experiments will continue to play an important role for benchmarking density functionals.
A comparative analysis of different van der Waals treatments for molecular adsorption on the basal plane of 2H-MoS 2
The binding energy of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, ethane, ethylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene, pyridine, pyrrole, and thiophene on the basal plane of the semi-conducting 2H-molybdenum sulfide (MoS 2 ) was calculated with the following flavors of Density Functional Theory (DFT): GGA-PW91, PBE-D3, vdW-DF, optPBE, optB86b, optB88, vdW-TS, and BEEF-vdW. The GGA-PW91 binding energies are negligible (<0.07 eV in magnitude) in all cases. The predictions with vdW-DF and PBE-D3 are the closest (error <0.05 eV) to the isosteric heats of adsorption calculated from reported temperature programmed desorption data for thiophene and butadiene. For all dispersion flavors examined here, the magnitude of the dispersion contribution to the binding energy increases linearly with the number of heavy atoms in the adsorbate, with each atom contributing 0.05 eV (BEEF-vdW) – 0.09 eV (optB88-vdW). Further, this implies that the calculated adsorption constants of molecules larger than acridine (i.e., comprising > 14 non-heavy atoms) can vary by more than four orders of magnitude at industrial conditions depending on the chosen method of dispersion correction. Further, dispersion effects fall off rapidly (>0.03 eV/ non-hydrogen atom/Å) as the adsorbate-surface distance increases.
Insights into the interaction of nitrobenzene and the Ag(111) surface: A DFT study
Here, this study explores the potential of nitrobenzene as an anolyte material for nonaqueous redox flow batteries (RFBs) by theoretically examining its low-coverage adsorption behavior on neutral and charged Ag(111) model electrode surfaces. At the low coverage limit, DFT calculations show a preference for nitrobenzene to adsorb parallel to the surface, with the benzene ring and nitro group centered over HCP sites. Interactions between nitrobenzene and the surface were analyzed using induced charge density analysis, Bader charge analysis, and projected density of states (PDOS). It was found that nitrobenzene adsorbs primarily through van der Waals interactions with the surface. As nitrobenzene accumulates negative charge, the strength of adsorption diminishes. Understanding the electrode-electrolyte interface is crucial for enhancing RFB electrochemical performance, and this study sheds light on nitrobenzene's interaction with a model Ag electrode.
New directions and principles for solvent extraction for recovery of lithium from aqueous brines and mineral leachates: A brief review
Increasing demand for lithium for manufacturing of batteries is fueling the unprecedented search for improved recovery and alternative sources. Wider source distribution, lower energy consumption, and greater sustainability make extraction of lithium from brines, both natural and process-derived, an attractive alternative to mineral ores. Solvent extraction, used industrially for production of metals, salts, and pharmaceuticals, has been investigated as a methodology for lithium recovery for several decades. However, industrial application of solvent extraction for lithium recovery has so far been limited. In contrast, direct lithium extraction using adsorbents based on inorganic minerals has rapidly advanced from research to commercialization. A comparison of solvent extraction processes to adsorption highlights these issues and explains the preference for adsorbents. Although the application of solvent extraction has been criticized for use of large amounts of acid, alkali, and organic solvents, steady progress has been made to improve its potential for industrial lithium production, spurred on generally by the advantages of solvent extraction in selectivity and throughput. Previously developed beta-diketone, organophosphate, and crown ether ligands are being adapted and improved. Their novel use with ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and membrane technologies promises to expand capabilities for extraction of lithium from dilute aqueous sources while improving sustainability. Possibilities for further discovery and innovation abound. In this review, we provide a unique perspective from the field of solvent extraction starting with fundamentals such as ion-transfer theory and apply them to understanding lithium selectivity and extraction behavior. In conclusion, the results are cast in the light of the practical realities of developing economical solvent extraction processes.
The concept of bio-corona in modulating the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENM)
Besides the wide use of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) in technical products, their application spectrum in biotechnology and biomedicine is steadily increasing. In complex physiological environments the physico-chemical properties and the behavior of nanoparticles (NPs) are challenging to characterize. Biomolecules rapidly adsorb to the nanomaterial, leading to the formation of the protein/biomolecule corona, which critically affects the nanomaterials' (patho)biological and technical identities. This formation can trigger an immune response and affect nanoparticles' toxicity and targeting capabilities. In this review, we provide a survey of recent findings on the (protein)corona-nanoparticle interaction and discuss how the corona modulates both cytotoxicity and the immune response as well as to improve the efficacy of targeted delivery of nanocarriers. - Highlights: • “Nanotoxicology” has emerged an autonomous field with an explosive growth. • Nanomaterials adsorb (bio)molecules forming the so-called (bio)molecule corona. • (Fine-)tune of the corona composition could enable new possibilities in nanomedicine.
Surface Composition, Work Function, and Electrochemical Characteristics of Gallium-Doped Zinc Oxide
Gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO) possesses the electric conductivity, thermal stability, and earth abundance to be a promising transparent conductive oxide replacement for indium tin oxide electrodes in a number of molecular electronic devices, including organic solar cells and organic light emitting diodes. The surface chemistry of GZO is complex and dominated by the hydrolysis chemistry of ZnO, which influences the work function via charge transfer and band bending caused by adsorbates. A comprehensive characterization of the surface chemical composition and electrochemical properties of GZO electrodes is presented, using both solution and surface adsorbed redox probe molecules. The GZO surface is characterized using monochromatic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy after the following pretreatments: (i) hydriodic acid etch, (ii) potassium hydroxide etch, (iii) RF oxygen plasma etching, and (iv) high-vacuum argon-ion sputtering. The O 1s spectra for the GZO electrodes have contributions from the stoichiometric oxide lattice, defects within the lattice, hydroxylated species, and carbonaceous impurities, with relative near-surface compositions varying with pretreatment. Solution etching procedures result in an increase of the work function and ionization potential of the GZO electrode, but yield different near surface Zn:Ga atomic ratios, which significantly influence charge transfer rates for a chemisorbed probe molecule. The near surface chemical composition is shown to be the dominant factor in controlling surface work function and significantly influences the rate of electron transfer to both solution and tethered probe molecules.
Catalytic resonance theory for the kinetic signatures of multiple wavelength photocatalysis
Multi-step surface chemistry promoted with one or two wavelengths of light exhibited distinct kinetic signatures indicative of the light-adsorbate interactions and the number of photon-sensitive elementary steps. In this work, kinetic Monte Carlo simulations identified the kinetic response of general surface mechanisms to variation in the per-site photon flux of one or two wavelengths of incident light. Photocatalytic rates were described via a non-dimensional photon flux, identifying multiple kinetic regimes with unique degrees of rate control. Under photon-controlled kinetic conditions, maximum quantum yield and turnover frequency were obtained under constant illumination, while pulsing of one or more light sources was shown to exhibit slower rates and less efficient photocatalytic promotion due to the inherent dynamic nature of light, which comprises a stream of photons. Simulations provided distinct kinetic signatures in catalytic rates and Arrhenius kinetics for specific light-surface-adsorbate interactions corresponding to photocatalytic promotion of specific steps in surface chemistry.
In Situ Live Cell Sensing of Multiple Nucleotides Exploiting DNA/RNA Aptamers and Graphene Oxide Nanosheets
Adenosine-5’-triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine-5’-triphosphate (GTP) are primary energy resources and function coordinately for numerous reactions such as microtubule assembly, insulin secretion and ion channel regulation. We have developed a novel DNA/RNA aptamer- graphene oxide nanosheet (GO-nS) sensing platform that can selectively and simultaneously detect ATP and GTP in live cells. A fluorescent tag is covalently attached to aptamers and fluorescence is quenched upon binding of aptamer to the GO-nS. Fluorescently tagged aptamers that selectively bind ATP or GTP were isolated from an aptamer library and were adsorbed onto GO-nS. Upon incubation with targets (ATP and/or GTP), the aptamers readily dissociated from GO-nS and the fluorescent signal was recovered. By covalently attaching fluorophores, both ATP and GTP sensing aptamers could be exploited to simultaneously visualize aptamer dissociation in live cells. In addition, the GO-nS appear to be biocompatible and protect the adsorbed DNA/RNA aptamers from enzymatic cleavage. Our results support the application of aptamer/GO-nS as a sensing platform for nucleotides in living cells and have implications for the development of additional sensor platforms for other bio-molecules that show selective interactions with aptamers and other biomarkers.
Heterogenized Molecular Catalysts: Vibrational Sum-Frequency Spectroscopic, Electrochemical, and Theoretical Investigations
Rhenium and manganese bipyridyl tricarbonyl complexes have attracted intense interest for their promising applications in photocatalytic and electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction in both homogeneous and heterogenized systems. To date, there have been extensive studies on immobilizing Re catalysts on solid surfaces for higher catalytic efficiency, reduced catalyst loading, and convenient product separation. However, in order for the heterogenized molecular catalysts to achieve the combination of the best aspects of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, it is essential to understand the fundamental physicochemical properties of such heterogeneous systems, such as surface-bound structures of Re/Mn catalysts, substrate–adsorbate interactions, and photoinduced or electric-field-induced effects on Re/Mn catalysts. For example, the surface may act to (un)block substrates, (un)trap charges, (de)stabilize particular intermediates (and thus affect scaling relations), and shift potentials in different directions, just as protein environments do. The close collaboration between the Lian, Batista, and Kubiak groups has resulted in an integrated approach to investigate how the semiconductor or metal surface affects the properties of the attached catalyst. Synthetic strategies to achieve stable and controlled attachment of Re/Mn molecular catalysts have been developed. Steady-state, time-resolved, and electrochemical vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopic studies have provided insight into the effects of interfacial structures, ultrafast vibrational energy relaxation, and electric field on the Re/Mn catalysts, respectively. Various computational methods utilizing density functional theory (DFT) have been developed and applied to determine the molecular orientation by direct comparison to spectroscopy, unravel vibrational energy relaxation mechanisms, and quantify the interfacial electric field strength of the Re/Mn catalyst systems. This Account starts with a discussion of the recent progress in determining the surface-bound structures of Re catalysts on semiconductor and Au surfaces by a combined vibrational SFG and DFT study. The effects of crystal facet, length of anchoring ligands, and doping of the semiconductor on the bound structures of Re catalysts and of the substrate itself are discussed. This is followed by a summary of the progress in understanding the vibrational relaxation (VR) dynamics of Re catalysts covalently adsorbed on semiconductor and metal surfaces. The VR processes of Re catalysts on TiO 2 films and TiO 2 single crystals and a Re catalyst tethered on Au, particularly the role of electron–hole pair (EHP)-induced coupling on the VR of the Re catalyst bound on Au, are discussed. The Account also summarizes recent studies in quantifying the electric field strength experienced by the catalytically active site of the Re/Mn catalyst bound on a Au electrode based on a combined electrochemical SFG and DFT study of the Stark tuning of the CO stretching modes of these catalysts. Finally, future research directions on surface-immobilized molecular catalyst systems are discussed.