Structure and Chemical Reactivity of Y-Stabilized ZrO Surfaces: Importance for the Water-Gas Shift Reaction.

The surface structure and chemical properties of Y-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) have been subjects of intense debate over the past three decades. However, a thorough understanding of chemical processes occurring at YSZ powders faces significant challenges due to the absence of reliable reference data acquired for well-controlled model systems. Here, we present results from polarization-resolved infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) obtained for differently oriented, Y-doped ZrO single-crystal surfaces after exposure to CO and DO.

Polarization-dependent effects in vibrational absorption spectra of 2D finite-size adsorbate islands on dielectric substrates.

In the last few years, infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) has become a standard technique to study vibrational excitations of molecules. These investigations are strongly motivated by potential applications in monitoring chemical processes. For a better understanding of the adsorption mechanism of molecules on dielectrics, the polarization-dependence of an interaction of infrared light with adsorbates on dielectric surfaces is commonly used.

Metal-Organic Framework Thin Films as Ideal Matrices for Azide Photolysis in Vacuum.

Studies on reactions in solutions are often hampered by solvent effects. In addition, detailed investigation on kinetics is limited to the small temperature regime where the solvent is liquid. Here, we report the in situ spectroscopic observation of UV-induced photochemical reactions of aryl azides within a crystalline matrix in vacuum.

Microscopic Diffusion of Atomic Hydrogen and Water in HER Catalyst MoS Revealed by Neutron Scattering.

The design of novel and abundant catalytic materials for electrolysis is crucial for reaching carbon neutrality of the global energy system. A deliberate approach to catalyst design requires both theoretical and experimental knowledge not only of the target reactions but also of the supplementary mechanisms affecting the catalytic activity. In this study, we focus on the interplay of hydrogen mobility and reactivity in the hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst MoS.

Conductance Switching in Liquid Crystal-Inspired Self-Assembled Monolayer Junctions.

We present the prototype of a ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ), which is based on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of small, functional molecules. These molecules have a structure similar to those of liquid crystals, and they are embedded between two solid-state electrodes. The SAM, which is deposited through a short sequence of simple fabrication steps, is extremely thin (3.

Erratum: Vibrational Frequencies of Cerium-Oxide-Bound CO: A Challenge for Conventional DFT Methods [Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 256101 (2020)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.

Avoiding the Center-Symmetry Trap: Programmed Assembly of Dipolar Precursors into Porous, Crystalline Molecular Thin Films.

Liquid-phase, quasi-epitaxial growth is used to stack asymmetric, dipolar organic compounds on inorganic substrates, permitting porous, crystalline molecular materials that lack inversion symmetry. This allows material fabrication with built-in electric fields. A new programmed assembly strategy based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is described that facilitates crystalline, noncentrosymmetric space groups for achiral compounds.

Vibrational Frequencies of Cerium-Oxide-Bound CO: A Challenge for Conventional DFT Methods.

In ceria-based catalysis, the shape of the catalyst particle, which determines the exposed crystal facets, profoundly affects its reactivity. The vibrational frequency of adsorbed carbon monoxide (CO) can be used as a sensitive probe to identify the exposed surface facets, provided reference data on well-defined single crystal surfaces together with a definitive theoretical assignment exist. We investigate the adsorption of CO on the CeO_{2}(110) and (111) surfaces and show that the commonly applied DFT(PBE)+U method does not provide reliable CO vibrational frequencies by comparing with state-of-the-art infrared spectroscopy experiments for monocrystalline CeO_{2} surfaces.

Chemical Reactivity of Supported ZnO Clusters: Undercoordinated Zinc and Oxygen Atoms as Active Sites.

The growth of ZnO clusters supported by ZnO-bilayers on Ag(111) and the interaction of these oxide nanostructures with water have been studied by a multi-technique approach combining temperature-dependent infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), grazing-emission X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. Our results reveal that the ZnO bilayers exhibiting graphite-like structure are chemically inactive for water dissociation, whereas small ZnO clusters formed on top of these well-defined, yet chemically passive supports show extremely high reactivity - water is dissociated without an apparent activation barrier. Systematic isotopic substitution experiments using H O/D O/D O allow identification of various types of acidic hydroxyl groups.

Surface Refaceting Mechanism on Cubic Ceria.

Polar surfaces of solid oxides are intrinsically unstable and tend to reconstruct due to the diverging electrostatic energy and thus often exhibit unique physical and chemical properties. However, a quantitative description of the restructuring mechanism of these polar surfaces remains challenging. Here we provide an atomic-level picture of the refaceting process that governs the surface polarity compensation of cubic ceria nanoparticles based on the accurate reference data acquired from the well-defined model systems.

CO adsorption on the calcite(10.4) surface: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

Detailed information on structural, chemical, and physical properties of natural cleaved (10.4) calcite surfaces was obtained by a combined atomic force microscopy (AFM) and infrared (IR) study using CO as a probe molecule under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The structural quality of the surfaces was determined using non-contact AFM (NC-AFM), which also allowed assigning the adsorption site of CO molecules.

Interaction of water with oligo(ethylene glycol) terminated monolayers: wetting versus hydration.

Biorepulsivity of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) substituted self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), serving as model systems for analogous polymeric surfaces, is generally ascribed to the hydration effect. In this context, we applied temperature-programmed desorption to study interaction of water (D2O) with a series of OH-terminated, OEG-substituted alkanethiolate SAMs with variable length of the OEG strand, defining their biorepulsion behavior. Along with the ice overlayer (wetting phase), growing also on the surface of the analogous non-substituted films, a hydration phase, corresponding to the adsorption of D2O into the OEG matrix, was observed, with a higher desorption energy (12.

Interplay of Electronic and Steric Effects to Yield Low-Temperature CO Oxidation at Metal Single Sites in Defect-Engineered HKUST-1.

In contrast to catalytically active metal single atoms deposited on oxide nanoparticles, the crystalline nature of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) allows for a thorough characterization of reaction mechanisms. Using defect-free HKUST-1 MOF thin films, we demonstrate that Cu /Cu dimer defects, created in a controlled fashion by reducing the pristine Cu /Cu pairs of the intact framework, account for the high catalytic activity in low-temperature CO oxidation. Combining advanced IR spectroscopy and density functional theory we propose a new reaction mechanism where the key intermediate is an uncharged O species, weakly bound to Cu /Cu .

Formation and Stability of Nontoxic Perovskite Precursor.

Strontium, calcium, and magnesium silicate hydrate phases are synthesized by the reaction between silica and solution of metal hydroxides. The kinetics of the reaction is recorded using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), continuously monitoring the change in frequency and dissipation energy. Based on QCM results, it is shown that properties of solutions like the pH-value or the type of ions play a pivotal function on the rate-determining stage of the reaction, the thickness of the diffuse layer, the formation of carbonates, as well as the kinetics of the formed phases.

Structural Evolution of Water on ZnO(10 0): From Isolated Monomers via Anisotropic H-Bonded 2D and 3D Structures to Isotropic Multilayers.

The surface chemistry of water on zinc oxides is an important topic in catalysis and photocatalysis. Interaction of D O with anisotropic ZnO(10 0) surfaces was studied by IR reflection absorption spectroscopy using s- and p-polarized light incident along different directions. Interpretation of the experimental data is aided using isotopologues and DFT calculations.

Structural Evolution of α-FeO(0001) Surfaces Under Reduction Conditions Monitored by Infrared Spectroscopy.

The precise determination of the surface structure of iron oxides (hematite and magnetite) is a vital prerequisite to understand their unique chemical and physical properties under different conditions. Here, the atomic structure evolution of the hematite (0001) surface under reducing conditions was tracked by polarization-resolved infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) using carbon monoxide (CO) as a probe molecule. The frequency and intensity of the CO stretch vibration is extremely sensitive to the valence state and electronic environments of surface iron cations.

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of alkali-metal intercalated ZrSe.

We report on the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of alkali metal intercalated ZrSe single crystals. ZrSe is produced by chemical vapour transport and then Li is intercalated. Intercalation is performed from the liquid phase (via butyllithium) and from the vapour phase.

Rendering Photoreactivity to Ceria: The Role of Defects.

The photoreactivity of ceria, a photochemically inert oxide with a large band gap, can be increased to competitive values by introducing defects. This previously unexplained phenomenon has been investigated by monitoring the UV-induced decomposition of N O on well-defined single crystals of ceria by using infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). The IRRAS data, in conjunction with theory, provide direct evidence that reducing the ceria(110) surface yields high photoreactivity.

Carbon Dioxide Adsorption on CeO (110): An XPS and NEXAFS Study.

The adsorption of CO on the surface of a CeO (110) bulk single crystal was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The high-quality XPS and C K-edge NEXAFS data show that CO adsorbs as a carbonate species on both fully oxidized CeO (110) and partially reduced CeO (110). No evidence for the formation of a carboxylate (CO ) intermediate could be found.

Surface Faceting and Reconstruction of Ceria Nanoparticles.

The surface atomic arrangement of metal oxides determines their physical and chemical properties, and the ability to control and optimize structural parameters is of crucial importance for many applications, in particular in heterogeneous catalysis and photocatalysis. Whereas the structures of macroscopic single crystals can be determined with established methods, for nanoparticles (NPs), this is a challenging task. Herein, we describe the use of CO as a probe molecule to determine the structure of the surfaces exposed by rod-shaped ceria NPs.