Na-Promoted Bimetallic Hydroxide Nanoparticles for Aerobic C-H Activation: Catalyst Design Principles and Insights into Reaction Mechanism.

A precious metal-free bimetallic FeMn(OH) hydroxide catalyst was developed that is capable of catalyzing aerobic C-H oxidation reactions at low temperatures, without the need for an initiator, relying sustainably on molecular oxygen. Through a systematic synthetic effort, we scanned a wide nanoparticle synthesis parameter space to lay out a detailed set of catalyst design principles unraveling how the Fe/Mn cation ratio, NaOH(aq) concentration used in the synthesis, catalyst washing procedures, extent of residual Na promoters on the catalyst surface, reaction temperature, and catalyst loading influence catalytic C-H activation performance as a function of the electronic, surface chemical, and crystal structure of FeMn(OH) bimetallic hydroxide nanostructures. Our comprehensive XRD, XPS, BET, ICP-MS, H NMR, and XANES structural/product characterization results as well as mechanistic kinetic isotope effect (KIE) studies provided the following valuable insights into the molecular level origins of the catalytic performance of the bimetallic FeMn(OH) hydroxide nanostructures: (i) catalytic reactivity is due to the coexistence and synergistic operation of Fe and Mn cationic sites (with minor contributions from Fe and Mn sites) on the catalyst surface, where in the absence of one of these synergistic sites (i.

Low-Pressure Deuterium Storage on Palladium-Coated Titanium Nanofilms: A Versatile Model System for Tritium-Based Betavoltaic Battery Applications.

Deuterium (D(g)) storage of Pd-coated Ti ultra-thin films at relatively low pressures is fine-tuned by systematically controlling the thicknesses of the catalytic Pd overlayer, underlying Ti ultra-thin film domain, D(g) pressure (), duration of D(g) exposure, and the thin film temperature. Structural properties of the Ti/Pd nanofilms are investigated via XRD, XPS, AFM, SEM, and TPD to explore new structure-functionality relationships. Ti/Pd thin film systems are deuterated to obtain a D/Ti ratio of up to 1.

Interaction of CO with MnO /Pd(111) Reverse Model Catalytic Interfaces.

Understanding the activation of CO on the surface of the heterogeneous catalysts comprised of metal/metal oxide interfaces is of critical importance since it is not only a prerequisite for converting CO to value-added chemicals but also often, a rate-limiting step. In this context, our current work focuses on the interaction of CO with heterogeneous bi-component model catalysts consisting of small MnO clusters supported on the Pd(111) single crystal surface. These metal oxide-on-metal 'reverse' model catalyst architectures were investigated via temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions.

Unraveling Molecular Fingerprints of Catalytic Sulfur Poisoning at the Nanometer Scale with Near-Field Infrared Spectroscopy.

Fundamental understanding of catalytic deactivation phenomena such as sulfur poisoning occurring on metal/metal-oxide interfaces is essential for the development of high-performance heterogeneous catalysts with extended lifetimes. Unambiguous identification of catalytic poisoning species requires experimental methods simultaneously delivering accurate information regarding adsorption sites and adsorption geometries of adsorbates with nanometer-scale spatial resolution, as well as their detailed chemical structure and surface functional groups. However, to date, it has not been possible to study catalytic sulfur poisoning of metal/metal-oxide interfaces at the nanometer scale without sacrificing chemical definition.

Precious Metal-Free LaMnO Perovskite Catalyst with an Optimized Nanostructure for Aerobic C-H Bond Activation Reactions: Alkylarene Oxidation and Naphthol Dimerization.

In this article, we describe the development of a new aerobic C-H oxidation methodology catalyzed by a precious metal-free LaMnO perovskite catalyst. Molecular oxygen is used as the sole oxidant in this approach, obviating the need for other expensive and/or environmentally hazardous stoichiometric oxidants. The electronic and structural properties of the LaMnO catalysts were systematically optimized, and a reductive pretreatment protocol was proved to be essential for acquiring the observed high catalytic activities.

All-Solution-Processed, Oxidation-Resistant Copper Nanowire Networks for Optoelectronic Applications with Year-Long Stability.

Copper nanowires (Cu NWs) hold promise as they possess equivalent intrinsic electrical conductivity and optical transparency to silver nanowires (Ag NWs) and cost substantially less. However, poor resistance to oxidation is the historical challenge that has prevented the large-scale industrial utilization of Cu NWs. Here, we use benzotriazole (BTA), an organic corrosion inhibitor, to passivate Cu NW networks.

CdTe Quantum Dot-Functionalized P25 Titania Composite with Enhanced Photocatalytic NO Storage Selectivity under UV and Vis Irradiation.

Composite systems of P25 (titania) functionalized with thioglycolic acid (TGA)-capped CdTe colloidal quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized, structurally characterized, and photocatalytically tested in the photocatalytic NO oxidation and storage during NO(g) + O(g) reaction. Pure P25 yielded moderate-to-high NO conversion (31% in UV-A and 40% in visible (vis)) but exhibited extremely poor selectivity toward NO storage in solid state (25% in UV-A and 35% in vis). Therefore, P25 could efficiently photooxidize NO(g) + O(g) into NO; however, it failed to store photogenerated NO and released toxic NO(g) to the atmosphere.

Ba deposition and oxidation on theta-Al2O3/NiAl(100) ultrathin films. Part II: O2(g) assisted Ba oxidation.

Ba deposition on a theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) substrate and its oxidation with gas-phase O(2) at various surface temperatures are investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. Oxidation of metallic Ba by gas-phase O(2) at 800 K results in the growth of 2D and 3D BaO surface domains. Saturation of a metallic Ba layer deposited on theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) with O(2)(g) at 300 K reveals the formation of BaO(2)-like surface states.

Ba deposition and oxidation on theta-Al2O3/NiAl(100) ultrathin films. Part I: Anaerobic deposition conditions.

Room-temperature Ba deposition on an oxygen-terminated theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) ultrathin film substrate under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions is studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. In addition, Ba oxidation by the ions of the alumina substrate at 300 K < T < 1200 K in the absence of a gas-phase oxidizing agent is investigated. Our results indicate that at room temperature Ba grows in a layer-by-layer fashion for the first two layers, and Ba is partially oxidized.

NO2 adsorption on ultrathin theta-Al2O3 films: formation of nitrite and nitrate species.

Interaction of NO2 with an ordered theta-Al2O3/NiAl(100) model catalyst surface was investigated using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The origin of the NO(x) uptake of the catalytic support (i.e.

Formation of a high coverage (3 x 3) NO phase on Pd(111) at elevated pressures: interplay between kinetic and thermodynamic accessibility.

Using in situ polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, a new high-coverage monomeric NO adsorption state on Pd(111) was observed and proposed to have a (3 x 3)-7NO structure. Formation of this high coverage NO phase was found to take place only at elevated pressure and temperature conditions showing that some of the accessible thermodynamic equilibrium states at elevated temperatures and pressures are thermodynamically unfavorable or kinetically hindered at lower temperatures and pressures. Our results emphasize the danger of extrapolating results from traditional surface science experiments performed under ultrahigh vacuum to elevated temperature and pressure conditions encountered in heterogeneous catalysis.

Interaction of water with ordered theta-Al(2)O(3) ultrathin films grown on NiAl(100).

The structure of an ordered, ultrathin theta-Al(2)O(3) film grown on a NiAl(100) single-crystal surface was studied by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), and its interaction with water was investigated with temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and XPS. Our results indicate that H(2)O adsorption on the theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) surface is predominantly molecular rather than dissociative. For theta(H)()2(O) < 1 ML (ML = monolayer), H(2)O molecules were found to populate Al(3+) cation sites to form isolated H(2)O species aligned in a row along the cation sites on the oxide surface with a repulsive interaction between them.

Low temperature H2O and NO2 coadsorption on theta-Al2O3/NiAl(100) ultrathin films.

The coadsorption of H(2)O and NO(2) molecules on a well-ordered, ultrathin theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) film surface was studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For H(2)O and NO(2) monolayers adsorbed separately on the theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) surface, adsorption energies were estimated to be 44.8 and 36.

NO dimer and dinitrosyl formation on Pd(111): from ultra-high-vacuum to elevated pressure conditions.

Using in situ polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRAS) and conventional IRAS techniques, the adsorption of NO on Pd(111) was studied from ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) conditions to 400 mbar. New monomeric and non-monomeric high-coverage NO adsorption states were observed at 400 mbar. Initial NO adsorption at 600 K and subsequent cooling in the presence of 400 mbar NO lead to a new high-coverage monomeric adsorption state.

Isocyanate formation in the catalytic reaction of CO + NO on Pd(111): an in situ infrared spectroscopic study at elevated pressures.

The catalytic CO + NO reaction to form CO2, N2, and N2O has been studied on a Pd(111) surface at pressures up to 240 mbar using in situ polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRAS). At 240 mbar, for a pressure ratio of PCO:PNO = 3:2 and under reaction conditions, besides adsorbed CO, the formation of isocyanate (-NCO) was observed. Once produced at 500-625 K, the isocyanate species was stable within the entire temperature range studied (300-625 K).