Tuning reactivity layer-by-layer: formic acid activation on Ag/Pd(111).

The potential for tuning the electronic structure of materials to control reactivity and selectivity in heterogenous catalysis has driven interest in ultrathin metal films which may differ from their bulk form. Herein, a 1-atomic layer Ag film on Pd(111) (Ag/Pd(111)) is demonstrated to have dramatically different reactivity towards formic acid compared to bulk Ag. Formic acid decomposition is of interest as a source of H for fuel cell applications and modification of Pd by Ag reduces poisoning by CO and increases the selectivity for H formation.

Dual Lewis site creation for activation of methanol on FeO(111) thin films.

Despite a wide application in heterogeneous catalysis, the surface termination of FeO(111) remains controversial. Herein, a surface with both Lewis acid and base sites is created through formation of an FeO(111) film on α-FeO(0001). The dual functionality is generated from a locally nonuniform surface layer of O adatoms and Fe sites.