Thermodynamic, electronic and structural properties of Cu/CeO2 surfaces and interfaces from first-principles DFT+U calculations

The thermodynamic, structural and electronic properties of Cu-CeO(2) (ceria) surfaces and interfaces are investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT+U) calculations. We focus on model systems consisting of Cu atoms (i) supported by stoichiometric and reduced CeO(2) (111) surfaces, (ii) dispersed as substitutional solid solution at the same surface, as well as on (iii) the extended Cu(111)/CeO(2)(111) interface. Extensive charge reorganization at the metal-oxide contact is predicted for ceria-supported Cu adatoms and nanoparticles, leading to Cu oxidation, ceria reduction, and interfacial Ce(3+) ions. The calculated thermodynamics predict that Cu adatoms on stoichiometric surfaces are more stable than on O vacancies of reduced surfaces at all temperatures and pressures relevant for catalytic applications, even in extremely reducing chemical environments. This suggests that supported Cu nanoparticles do not nucleate at surface O vacancies of the oxide, at variance with many other metal/ceria systems. In oxidizing conditions, the solid solutions are shown to be more stable than the supported systems. Substitutional Cu ions form characteristic CuO(4) units. These promote an easy and reversible O release without the reduction of Ce ions. The study of the extended CeO(2)(111)/Cu(111) interface predicts the full reduction of the interfacial ceria trilayer. Cu nanoparticles supported by ceria are proposed to lie above a subsurface layer of Ce(3+) ions that extends up to the perimeter of the metal-oxide interface.     

Reaction of SO2 with AuCeO2(111): importance of O vacancies in the activation of gold

Synchrotron-based high-resolution photoemission was used to study the adsorption and chemistry of SO(2) on AuCeO(2)(111) and AuO(x)CeO(2) surfaces. The heat of adsorption of the molecule on Au nanoparticles supported on stoichiometric CeO(2)(111) was 4-7 kcalmol larger than on Au(111). However, there was negligible dissociation of SO(2) on the AuCeO(2)(111) surfaces. The full decomposition of SO(2) was observed only after introducing O vacancies in the ceria support. AuO(x)CeO(2) surfaces were found to be much less chemically active than AuCeO(2)(111) or AuCeO(2-x)(111) surfaces. The active sites in {Au + AuO(x)}ceria catalysts should involve pure gold nanoparticles in contact with O vacancies.     

A new type of strong metal-support interaction and the production of H2 through the transformation of water on Pt/CeO2(111) and Pt/CeO(x)/TiO2(110) catalysts

The electronic properties of Pt nanoparticles deposited on CeO(2)(111) and CeO(x)/TiO(2)(110) model catalysts have been examined using valence photoemission experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The valence photoemission and DFT results point to a new type of "strong metal-support interaction" that produces large electronic perturbations for small Pt particles in contact with ceria and significantly enhances the ability of the admetal to dissociate the O-H bonds in water. When going from Pt(111) to Pt(8)/CeO(2)(111), the dissociation of water becomes a very exothermic process. The ceria-supported Pt(8) appears as a fluxional system that can change geometry and charge distribution to accommodate adsorbates better. In comparison with other water-gas shift (WGS) catalysts [Cu(111), Pt(111), Cu/CeO(2)(111), and Au/CeO(2)(111)], the Pt/CeO(2)(111) surface has the unique property that the admetal is able to dissociate water in an efficient way. Furthermore, for the codeposition of Pt and CeO(x) nanoparticles on TiO(2)(110), we have found a transfer of O from the ceria to Pt that opens new paths for the WGS process and makes the mixed-metal oxide an extremely active catalyst for the production of hydrogen.     

First-principles investigation of transition metal atom M (M = Cu, Ag, Au) adsorption on CeO2(110)

Transition metal atom M (M = Cu, Ag, Au) adsorption on CeO(2)(110), a technologically important catalytic support surface, is investigated with density-functional theory within the DFT+U formalism. A set of model configurations was generated by placing M at three surface sites, viz., on top of an O, an O bridge site, and a Ce bridge site. Prior to DFT optimization, small distortions in selected Ce-O distances were imposed to explore the energetics associated with reduction of Ce(4+) to Ce(3+) due to charge transfer to Ce during M adsorption. Charge redistribution is confirmed with spin density isosurfaces and site projected density of states. We demonstrate that Cu and Au atoms can be oxidized to Cu(2+) and Au(2+), although the adsorption energy, E(ads), of Au(2+) is less favorable and, unlike Cu(2+), it has not been experimentally observed. Oxidation of Ag always results in Ag(+). For M adsorption at an O bridge site, E(ads)(2NN) > E(ads)(3NN) > E(ads)(1NN) where NN denotes the nearest neighbor Ce(3+) site relative to M. Alternatively, for M adsorption at a Ce bridge site, E(ads)(3NN) > E(ads)(2NN) > E(ads)(1NN). The adsorption behavior of M on CeO(2) (110) is compared with M adsorption on CeO(2)(111).     

Unusual physical and chemical properties of Cu in Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) oxides

The structural and electronic properties of Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) nano systems prepared by a reverse microemulsion method were characterized with synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and density functional calculations. The Cu atoms embedded in ceria had an oxidation state higher than those of the cations in Cu(2)O or CuO. The lattice of the Ce(1)(-x)Cu(x)O(2) systems still adopted a fluorite-type structure, but it was highly distorted with multiple cation-oxygen distances with respect to the single cation-oxygen bond distance seen in pure ceria. The doping of CeO(2) with copper introduced a large strain into the oxide lattice and favored the formation of O vacancies, leading to a Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2-y) stoichiometry for our materials. Cu approached the planar geometry characteristic of Cu(II) oxides, but with a strongly perturbed local order. The chemical activities of the Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) nanoparticles were tested using the reactions with H(2) and O(2) as probes. During the reduction in hydrogen, an induction time was observed and became shorter after raising the reaction temperature. The fraction of copper that could be reduced in the Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) oxides also depended strongly on the reaction temperature. A comparison with data for the reduction of pure copper oxides indicated that the copper embedded in ceria was much more difficult to reduce. The reduction of the Ce(1-x)Cu(x)O(2) nanoparticles was rather reversible, without the generation of a significant amount of CuO or Cu(2)O phases during reoxidation. This reversible process demonstrates the unusual structural and chemical properties of the Cu-doped ceria materials.     

In situ studies of the active sites for the water gas shift reaction over Cu-CeO2 catalysts: complex interaction between metallic copper and oxygen vacancies of ceria

New information about the active sites for the water gas shift (WGS) reaction over Cu-CeO2 systems was obtained using in-situ, time-resolved X-ray diffraction (TR-XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (TR-XAS, Cu K and Ce L3 edges), and infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Cu-CeO2 nanoparticles prepared by a novel reversed microemulsion method (doped Ce1-xCuxO2 sample) and an impregnation method (impregnated CuOx/CeO2 sample) were studied. The results from all of the samples indicate that both metallic copper and oxygen vacancies in ceria were involved in the generation of active sites for the WGS reaction. Evidence was found for a synergistic Cu-Ovacancy interaction. This interaction enhances the chemical activity of Cu, and the presence of Cu facilitates the formation of O vacancies in ceria under reaction conditions. Water dissociation occurred on the Ovacancy sites or the Cu-Ovacancy interface. No significant amounts of formate were formed on the catalysts during the WGS reaction. The presence of strongly bound carbonates is an important factor for the deactivation of the catalysts at high temperatures. This work identifies for the first time the active sites for the WGS reaction on Cu-CeO2 catalysts and illustrates the importance of in situ structural studies for heterogeneous catalytic reactions.     

Cu-CeO2基阳极直接甲烷SOFC的制备及其性能

采用干压法制备了NiO-YSZ(氧化钇稳定氧化锆)/(ZrO2)0.89(Sc2O3)0.1(CeO2)0.01(10ScSZ-1CeO2)半电池, 经还原-酸溶法除去NiO制备了多孔YSZ负载致密10ScSZ-1CeO2双层结构, 通过浸渍法在多孔YSZ阳极基体中引入Ce、Cu的硝酸盐制备Cu-CeO2-YSZ复合阳极, 结合La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ(LSCF)阴极构建了Cu-CeO2-YSZ/10ScSZ-1CeO2/LSCF单元电池. 通过X射线衍射(XRD)和场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)等手段对电池单元的物相、微观结构进行表征. 结果表明: 还原-酸溶法制备的YSZ/10ScSZ-1CeO2双层结构的YSZ基体具有孔隙率高(>64%)、孔洞连通性好的微观结构, 有助于采用浸渍法引入Ce、Cu硝酸盐; 10ScSZ-1CeO2电解质薄膜致密无缺陷, 厚约30 μm. 电性能测试表明所构建单元固体氧化物燃料电池(SOFC)具有良好的电性能输出, 在650 ℃以湿H2和CH4为燃料时的最大功率密度分别为0.29和0.09 W·cm-2; 在700 ℃以湿H2和CH4为燃料时的最大功率密度分别达到0.48 和0.21 W·cm-2. 优良的电性能主要归功于小的电解质内阻和阴极极化电阻以及良好的阳极微观结构.     

Role of Zr4+ cations in NO2 adsorption on Ce(1-x)Zr(x)O2 mixed oxides at ambient conditions

Mixed oxides Ce(1-x)Zr(x)O(2) prepared by slow coprecipitation in NaOH were tested for NO(2) adsorption in dynamic conditions at room temperature. The samples were characterized before and after exposure to NO(2) by XRD, N(2)-adsorption, thermal analysis, potentiometric titration, and FT-IR. Mixed oxides show a better NO(2) adsorption capacity than the parent materials (CeO(2) and Zr(OH)(4)). This effect is linked to the presence of reduced cerium and oxygen vacancies induced by the addition of Zr(4+) cations to the structure. The results indicate that NO(2) reacts with Ce(3+) to form nitrite and nitrate species on the surface. The NO retention increases with an increase in the Zr(OH)(4) content. A decrease in the density of -OH groups on the surface after the exposure to NO(2), suggests their involvement in reactive adsorption of NO and/or NO(2). From the structural point of view, no real difference was observed on the Ce(1-x)Zr(x)O(2) materials before and after exposure to NO(2).     

Effects of deposited Pt particles on the reducibility of CeO2(111)

The interaction of Pt particles with the regular CeO(2)(111) surface has been studied using Pt(8) clusters as representative examples. The atomic and electronic structure of the resulting model systems have been obtained through periodic spin-polarized density functional calculations using the PW91 exchange-correlation potential corrected with the inclusion of a Hubbard U parameter. The focus is on the effect of the metal-support interaction on the surface reducibility of ceria. Several initial geometries and orientations of Pt(8) with respect to the ceria substrate have been explored. It has been found that deposition of Pt(8) over the ceria surface results in spontaneous oxidation of the supported particle with a concomitant reduction of up to two Ce(4+) cations to Ce(3+). Oxygen vacancy formation on the CeO(2)(111) surface and oxygen spillover to the adsorbed particle have also been considered. The presence of the supported Pt(8) particles has a rather small effect (～0.2 eV) on the O vacancy formation energy. However, it is predicted that the spillover of atomic oxygen from the substrate to the metal particle greatly facilitates the formation of oxygen vacancies: the calculated energy required to transfer an oxygen atom from the CeO(2)(111) surface to the supported Pt(8) particle is only 1.00 eV, i.e. considerably smaller than 2.25 eV necessary to form an oxygen vacancy on the bare regular ceria surface. This strongly suggests that the propensity of ceria systems to store and release oxygen is directly affected by the presence of supported Pt particles.     

Density functional studies of model cerium oxide nanoparticles

Density functional plane-wave calculations have been performed to investigate a series of ceria nanoparticles (CeO2-x)(n), n Ce3+ reduction have been accounted for through the use of an effective on-site Coulomb repulsive interaction within the so-called DFT+U approach. Twelve nanoparticles of up to 2 nm in diameter and of both cuboctahedral and octahedral forms are chosen as representative model systems. Energetic and structural effects of oxygen vacancy formation in these nanoparticles are discussed with respect to those in the bulk and on extended surfaces. We show that the average interatomic distances of the nanoparticles are most significantly affected by the creation of oxygen vacancies. The formation energies of non-stoichiometric nanoparticles (CeO2-x)(n) are found to scale linearly with the average coordination number of Ce atoms; where x < 0 species, containing partially reduced O atoms, are less stable. The stability of octahedral ceria particles at small sizes, and the predicted strong propensity of Ce cations to acquire a reduced state at lower coordinated sites, is supported by interatomic potential-based global optimisations probing the low energy isomers of the Ce19O32 nanoparticle.     

CO氧化反应中的二氧化铈晶面效应

二氧化铈(CeO2)因其具有较强的储放氧能力,被用作氧化还原反应的催化材料.自2005年,研究者制备出形貌可控的CeO2纳米棒、纳米立方块和纳米多面体,在CeO2形貌控制及构效关系研究方面取得长足发展.各种结构表征手段包括原位拉曼(in situ Raman)、原位傅里叶变换红外光谱(in situ DRIFTS)、核磁共振(NMR)和电镜等被用来研究不同形貌CeO2的表面结构和在催化反应中的活性差异.一般的活性规律为CeO2纳米棒({110}/{100})>纳米立方块({100})>纳米多面体({111}/{100}).近年来,负载型CeO2催化剂因其能稳定分散金属,通过金属-载体相互作用调控界面电子结构并表现出优异的催化活性而引起广泛关注,其中晶面效应在负载型CeO2催化体系中显得较为复杂.铜铈催化剂被认为是非常经济有效的CO氧化催化剂,然而由于制备和测试条件差异导致的CeO2晶面对铜铈催化剂催化CO氧化活性的影响规律并不统一.我们之前的研究工作发现纳米棒CeO2-{110}晶面上的Cu-[Ox]-Ce结构不利于形成Cu((40)),而纳米颗粒CeO2-{111}晶面上的CuOx团簇很容易形成Cu((40)),从而对CO催化氧化极为有利,这与纯载体CeO2的规律并不一致.与此同时,对于铜负载的CeO2纳米棒(NR)及纳米立方体(NC)所体现的性质及活性差异缺少系统深入的研究.在上述工作基础上,我们采用沉积沉淀法在CeO2 NR及CeO2 NC上负载1%wt的铜分别得到1Cu CeNR和1Cu CeNC,并对所合成催化剂的结构和吸附性能进行了表征.高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)照片显示,CeO2纳米棒主要暴露{110}晶面,而CeO2纳米立方体以{100}晶面为主.催化测试结果表明,1Cu CeNC在130℃时CO已完全转化为CO2,而相同温度下1Cu Ce NR只有50%转化.进一步通过氢气程序升温还原(H2-TPR)和一氧化碳程序升温脱附(CO-TPD)分析发现, 1Cu Ce NC催化剂具有较强的还原性且表面氧物种含量高.此外, X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和in situ DRIFTS研究表明, 1Cu Ce NC促进Cu((40))位点生成,导致活性Cu((40))-CO物种增多,这些优异的化学性质导致其具有较高的催化CO氧化活性.     

CO oxidation on inverse CeO(x)/Cu(111) catalysts: high catalytic activity and ceria-promoted dissociation of O2

A Cu(111) surface displays a low activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide (2CO + O(2) → 2CO(2)). Depending on the temperature, background pressure of O(2), and the exposure time, one can get chemisorbed O on Cu(111) or a layer of Cu(2)O that may be deficient in oxygen. The addition of ceria nanoparticles (NPs) to Cu(111) substantially enhances interactions with the O(2) molecule and facilitates the oxidation of the copper substrate. In images of scanning tunneling microscopy, ceria NPs exhibit two overlapping honeycomb-type moire? structures, with the larger ones (H(1)) having a periodicity of 4.2 nm and the smaller ones (H(2)) having a periodicity of 1.20 nm. After annealing CeO(2)/Cu(111) in O(2) at elevated temperatures (600-700 K), a new phase of a Cu(2)O(1+x) surface oxide appears and propagates from the ceria NPs. The ceria is not only active for O(2) dissociation, but provides a much faster channel for oxidation than the step edges of Cu(111). Exposure to CO at 550-750 K led to a partial reduction of the ceria NPs and the removal of the copper oxide layer. The CeO(x)/Cu(111) systems have activities for the 2CO + O(2) → 2CO(2) reaction that are comparable or larger than those reported for surfaces of expensive noble metals such as Rh(111), Pd(110), and Pt(100). Density-functional calculations show that the supported ceria NPs are able to catalyze the oxidation of CO due to their special electronic and chemical properties. The configuration of the inverse oxide/metal catalyst opens new interesting routes for applications in catalysis.     

NO双分子在Cu2O(111)面吸附与解离的理论研究

采用广义梯度密度泛函理论结合周期平板模型方法, 在DNP基组下, 研究了NO双分子在三重态和单重态两种电子组态下在Cu2O(111)完整表面的吸附情况. 考虑了Cu+(NO)(NO)、Cu+(NO)(ON)及Cu+(ON)(ON)这三种构型, 计算了它们的吸附能和Mulliken电荷, 分析并预测了吸附后可能产生的物种. 结果表明, 当两个NO分子都以O端吸附在Cu2O(111)表面时即Cu+(ON)(ON)构型, N—N键长很短, 只有124.4 pm, 吸附的两个NO分子形成了二聚体形式, 这种吸附构型有利于进一步离解产生N2或N2O并形成Cu-O表面物种.     

Raman spectroscopic study on the structure in the surface and the bulk shell of Ce(x)Pr(1-x)O(2-delta) mixed oxides

The difference between the surface and the bulk shell of Ce(x)Pr(1-x)O(2-delta) mixed oxides was studied by Raman spectroscopy with four different excitation lasers. Two Raman peaks appear at 465 and 570 cm(-1) under all of the four lasers. The former is attributed to the Raman active F(2g) mode of CeO2, while the latter is attributed to oxygen vacancy. On the basis of the fact that the laser with shorter wavelength is closer to the electronic adsorption of samples, it is found that the Raman information detected by excitation laser with shorter wavelength is more sensitive to the surface region of samples. An inflection is observed in the relationship of the value I570/I465 to the Ce content in Ce(x)Pr(1-x)O(2-delta). With the increase in the wavelength of excitation laser, the Ce content corresponding to the inflection decreases. Combined with the surface concentration obtained by XPS, it can be deduced that the composition of Ce(x)Pr(1-x)O(2-delta) mixed oxide particles in the surface region and the bulk shell are different, the former is enrichment of Pr component and the latter is enrichment of Ce component. The thickness of the surface layer with rich Pr component decreases with the increase in the Ce content.     

Sonochemical synthesis of Ce(1-x)Fe(x)O(2-δ) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.45) and Ce(0.65)Fe(0.33)Pd(0.02)O(2-δ) nanocrystallites: oxygen storage material, CO oxidation and water gas shift catalyst

Nanocrystalline Ce(1-x)Fe(x)O(2-δ) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.45) and Ce(0.65)Fe(0.33)Pd(0.02)O(2-δ) of ~4 nm sizes were synthesized by a sonochemical method using diethyletriamine (DETA) as a complexing agent. Compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ce(1-x)Fe(x)O(2-δ) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.45) and Ce(0.65)Fe(0.33)Pd(0.02)O(2-δ) crystallize in fluorite structure where Fe is in +3, Ce is in +4 and Pd is in +2 oxidation state. Due to substitution of smaller Fe(3+) ion in CeO(2), lattice oxygen is activated and 33% Fe substituted CeO(2)i.e. Ce(0.67)Fe(0.33)O(1.835) reversibly releases 0.31[O] up to 600 °C which is higher or comparable to the oxygen storage capacity of CeO(2)-ZrO(2) based solid solutions (Catal. Today 2002, 74, 225-234). Due to interaction of redox potentials of Pd(2+/0)(0.89 V) and Fe(3+/2+) (0.77 V) with Ce(4+/3+) (1.61 V), Pd ion accelerates the electron transfer from Fe(2+) to Ce(4+) in Ce(0.65)Fe(0.33)Pd(0.02)O(1.815), making it a high oxygen storage material as well as a highly active catalyst for CO oxidation and water gas shift reaction. The activation energy for CO oxidation with Ce(0.65)Fe(0.33)Pd(0.02)O(1.815) is found to be as low as 38 kJ mol(-1). Ce(0.67)Fe(0.33)O(1.835) and Ce(0.65)Fe(0.33)Pd(0.02)O(1.815) have also shown high activity for the water gas shift reaction. CO conversion to CO(2) is 100% H(2) specific with these catalysts and conversion rate was found to be as high 27.2 μmoles g(-1) s(-1) and the activation energy was found to be 46.4 kJ mol(-1) for Ce(0.65)Fe(0.33)Pd(0.02)O(1.815).     

Characterization of O2-CeO2 interactions using in situ Raman spectroscopy and first-principle calculations.

Interactions between O(2) and CeO(2) are examined experimentally using in situ Raman spectroscopy and theoretically using density-functional slab-model calculations. Two distinct oxygen bands appear at 825 and 1131 cm(-1), corresponding to peroxo- and superoxo-like species, respectively, when partially reduced CeO(2) is exposed to 10 % O(2). Periodic density-functional theory (DFT) calculations aid the interpretation of spectroscopic observations and provide energetic and geometric information for the dioxygen species adsorbed on CeO(2). The O(2) adsorption energies on unreduced CeO(2) surfaces are endothermic (0.91相似文献   

贵金属原子在CeO2(111)表面吸附的密度泛函理论研究

利用密度泛函理论系统研究了贵金属原子(Au、Pd、Pt和Rh)在CeO₂(111)表面的吸附行为。结果表明,Au吸附在氧顶位最稳定,Pd、Pt倾向吸附于氧桥位,而Rh在洞位最稳定。当金属原子吸附在氧顶位时,吸附强度依次为Pt > Rh > Pd > Au。Pd、Pt与Rh吸附后在Ce 4f、O 2p电子峰间出现掺杂峰;Au未出现掺杂电子峰,其d电子峰与表面O 2p峰在-4～-1 eV重叠。态密度分析表明,Au吸附在氧顶位、Pd与Pt吸附在桥位、Rh吸附在洞位时,金属与CeO₂(111)表面氧原子作用较强,这与Bader电荷分析结果相一致。     

Enhanced reducibility of Ce1-xTixO2 compared to that of CeO2 and higher redox catalytic activity of Ce1-x-yTixPtyO2-delta compared to that of Ce1-xPtxO2-delta

Nanocrystalline Ce(1)(-)(x)Ti(x)O(2) (0 < or = x < or = 0.4) and Ce(1-)(x)(-)(y)Ti(x)Pt(y)O(2)(-)(delta) (x = 0.15, y = 0.01, 0.02) solid solutions crystallizing in fluorite structure have been prepared by a single step solution combustion method. Temperature programmed reduction and XPS study of Ce(1)(-)(x)Ti(x)O(2) (x = 0.0-04) show complete reduction of Ti(4+) to Ti(3+) and reduction of approximately 20% Ce(4+) to Ce(3+) state compared to 8% Ce(4+) to Ce(3+) in the case of pure CeO(2) below 675 degrees C. The substitution of Ti ions in CeO(2) enhances the reducibility of CeO(2). Ce(0.84)Ti(0.15)Pt(0.01)O(2)(-)(delta) crystallizes in fluorite structure and Pt is ionically substituted with 2+ and 4+ oxidation states. The H/Pt atomic ratio at 30 degrees C over Ce(0.84)Ti(0.15)Pt(0.01)O(2)(-)(delta) is 5 and that over Ce(0.99)Pt(0.01)O(2)(-)(delta) is 4 against just 0.078 for 8 nm Pt metal particles. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon oxidation activity are much higher over Ce(1-)(x)(-)(y)Ti(x)Pt(y)O(2) (x = 0.15, y = 0.01, 0.02) compared to Ce(1)(-)(x)Pt(x)O(2) (x = 0.01, 0.02). Synergistic involvement of Pt(2+)/Pt degrees and Ti(4+)/Ti(3+) redox couples in addition to Ce(4+)/Ce(3+) due to the overlap of Pt(5d), Ti(3d), and Ce(4f) bands near E(F) is shown to be responsible for improved redox property and higher catalytic activity.     

A theoretical study of surface reduction mechanisms of CeO(2)(111) and (110) by H(2).

Reaction mechanisms for the interactions between CeO(2)(111) and (110) surfaces are investigated using periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Both standard DFT and DFT+U calculations to examine the effect of the localization of Ce 4f states on the redox chemistry of H(2)-CeO(2) interactions are described. For mechanistic studies, molecular and dissociative local minima are initially located by placing an H(2) molecule at various active sites of the CeO(2) surfaces. The binding energies of physisorbed species optimized using the DFT and DFT+U methods are very weak. The dissociative adsorption reactions producing hydroxylated surfaces are all exothermic; exothermicities at the DFT level range from 4.1 kcal mol(-1) for the (111) to 26.5 kcal mol(-1) for the (110) surface, while those at the DFT+U level are between 65.0 kcal mol(-1) for the (111) and 81.8 kcal mol(-1) for the (110) surface. Predicted vibrational frequencies of adsorbed OH and H(2)O species on the surfaces are in line with available experimental and theoretical results. Potential energy profiles are constructed by connecting molecularly adsorbed and dissociatively adsorbed intermediates on each CeO(2) surface with tight transition states using the nudged elastic band (NEB) method. It is found that the U correction method plays a significant role in energetics, especially for the intermediates of the exit channels and products that are partially reduced. The surface reduction reaction on CeO(2)(110) is energetically much more favorable. Accordingly, oxygen vacancies are more easily formed on the (110) surface than on the (111) surface.     

甲醛在CeO2(111)表面吸附的密度泛函理论研究

采用基于第一性原理的密度泛函理论和周期平板模型, 研究了甲醛在以桥氧为端面的CeO2(111)稳定表面上的吸附行为. 通过对不同覆盖度, 不同吸附位的甲醛吸附构型、吸附能及电子态密度的分析发现, 甲醛在CeO2(111)表面存在化学吸附与物理吸附两种情况. 化学吸附结构中甲醛的碳、氧原子分别与表面的氧、铈原子发生相互作用, 形成CH2O2物种; 吸附能随着覆盖度的增加而减小. 与自由甲醛分子相比, 物理吸附的甲醛构型变化不大, 其吸附能较小. 利用CNEB(climbing nudged elastic band)方法计算了甲醛在CeO2(111)表面的初步解离反应活化能(约1.71 eV), 远高于甲醛脱附能垒, 这与甲醛在清洁CeO2(111)表面程序升温脱附实验中产物主要为甲醛的结果相一致.