Phenylphosphonic acid functionalization of indium tin oxide: surface chemistry and work functions.

The work function of indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates was modified with phosphonic acid molecular films. The ITO surfaces were treated prior to functionalization with a base cleaning procedure. The film growth and coverage were quantified by contact angle goniometry and XPS.

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: study of the promotion of Pt on the reduction property of Co/Al2O3 catalysts by in situ EXAFS of Co K and Pt LIII edges and XPS.

The addition of platinum metal to cobalt/alumina-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts increases both the reduction rate and, consequently, the density of active cobalt sites. Platinum also lowers the temperature of the two-step conversion of cobalt oxide to cobalt metal observed in temperature programmed reduction (TPR) as Co3O4 to CoO and CoO to Co0. The interaction of the alumina support with cobalt oxide ultimately determines the active site density of the catalyst surface.