Researchers demonstrate in-situ treatment of Au-TiO2 functional interface

A joint international research team from the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with Zhejiang University and the Technical University of Denmark, outlined an in-situ strategy to manipulate an interface structure with atomic precision during feedback catarails. Results have been published in the latest issue of Science.

The interface between nanoparticles and substrates plays a crucial role in heterogeneous catalysis because most active sites are located at the periphery of the interface. This interface is generally believed to be immutable and immutable, so change in reactive environments is almost impossible. As a result, it has been challenging to stimulate catalytic activity through precise control of the interface structure.

In this study, the scientists first used environmental emission microscopy to directly show the epitaxial circulation of gold nanoparticles on titanium dioxide (TiO).₂) surface during atomic oxidation of CO at the atomic level. A perfect epitaxial relationship was observed between Au nanoparticles and TiO₂ (001) surface under O.₂ environment in real time.

Theoretical calculations including density action theory calculations and thermmodynamics analysis, showed that the epitaxial direction could be induced by changing O₂ induction coating at the peripheral interface. The Au nanoparticle was more stable by absorbing more O.₂ molecules at the Au-TiO₂ interface, but was not as stable as O wear.₂ and CO.

To take advantage of Au-TiO’s advanced activity₂ interface, researchers made further positive observations and found that this configuration did not change during cooling from 500 ° C to 20 ° C in CO and O₂ reactive environments, showing the circulation of the Au nanoparticle were also dependent on temperature in reaction conditions.

Taking advantage of the reversible and controlled circulation of the Au nanoparticle, the scientists performed in-situ treatment of the active Au-TiO₂ interface at atomic level by changing gas and temperature.

This study sheds light on the real-time manipulation of catalytic interface structure in reaction conditions at an atomic scale, which may inform future approaches to the real-time design of the catalytic. catalytic interface under operating conditions.

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