Vanadium oxide nanostructures on Rh(1 1 1): Promotion effect of CO adsorption and oxidation

The adsorption of CO and the reaction of CO with pre-adsorbed oxygen at room temperature has been studied on the (2 × 1)ORh(1 1 1) surface and on vanadium oxideRh(1 1 1) “inverse model catalyst” surfaces using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and core-level photoemission with synchrotron radiation. Two types of structurally well-defined model catalyst V₃O₉Rh(1 1 1) surfaces have been prepared, which consist of large (mean size of 50 nm, type I model catalyst) and small (mean size <15 nm, type II model catalyst) two-dimensional oxide islands and bare Rh areas in between; the latter are covered by chemisorbed oxygen. Adsorption of CO on the oxygen pre-covered (2 × 1)ORh(1 1 1) surface leads to fast CO uptake in on-top sites and to the removal of half (0.25 ML) of the initial oxygen coverage by an oxidation clean-off reaction and as a result to the formation of a coadsorbed (2 × 2)O + CO phase. Further removal of the adsorbed O with CO is kinetically hindered at room temperature. A similar kinetic behaviour has been found also for the CO adsorption and oxidation reaction on the type I “inverse model catalyst” surface. In contrast, on the type II inverse catalyst surface, containing small V-oxide islands, the rate of removal of the chemisorbed oxygen is significantly enhanced. In addition, a reduction of the V-oxide islands at their perimeter by CO has been observed, which is suggested to be the reason for the promotion of the CO oxidation reaction near the metal-oxide phase boundary.     

Identification of the vanadyl terminated V2O3(0 0 0 1) surface by NEXAFS spectroscopy: A combined theoretical and experimental study

In this work we present results from density functional theory (DFT) cluster studies to determine polarization-dependent near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra of the vanadyl termination of the V₂O₃(0 0 0 1) surface. The oxygen K edge spectra are calculated for the relaxed surface geometry where geometric parameters are taken from recent periodic DFT work. A detailed analysis of energetic peak positions, relative intensities, and final state orbitals allows a deep understanding of the complex angular dependence of the calculated spectra on the basis of the local binding environment of differently coordinated oxygen species. Further, our theoretical analysis can assign and explain various spectral details in the experimental NEXAFS data, in particular, those related to vanadyl oxygen. This allows us to support the experimentally suggested vanadyl surface termination.     

Influence of the geometric structure on the V L3 near edge X-ray absorption fine structure from vanadium phosphorus oxide catalysts

We present the V L₃ near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) of a vanadium phosphorus oxide (VPO) catalyst. The spectrum is related to the V3d–O2p hybridised unoccupied states. The overall peak position at the V L₃-absorption edge is determined by the formal oxidation state of the absorbing vanadium atom. Details of the absorption fine structure are influenced by the geometric structure of the compound. Empirically we found a linear relationship between the energy position of several absorption resonances and the V–O bond length of the participating atoms. This allows identification of the contribution of specific V–O bonds to the near edge X-ray absorption fine structure. The bond length/resonance position relationship will be discussed under consideration of relations between geometric structure and NEXAFS features observed in X-ray absorption experiments and theory.     

The study of deNOx catalyst in low temperature using nano-sized supports

The present study pertains to a vanadium/titania-based catalyst for removing nitrogen oxides at a relatively low temperature window. More specially, the present study relates to a vanadium/titania-based catalyst containing VO_x (x < 2.5) and having excellent ability to remove nitrogen oxides at a wide temperature window, particularly at a relatively low temperature window and a process for removing nitrogen oxides using the same. In this study, various TiO₂ supports have been tested to determine the role of support. Raw TiO₂ were examined a variety of physical properties. Also comparing with commercial V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst, the activity of various VO_x (x < 2.5)/TiO₂ in this study have quite different values.To find the source of lattice oxygen in vanadium oxides, the effect of calcination conditions on the removal efficiency of nitrogen oxides was examined. When nitrogen instead of air was introduced as a balance gas in calcination step, the activity of catalysts in this study was not changed. That may indicate the source of lattice oxygen in vanadium oxides as that of TiO₂. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) revealed that after vanadium oxides loaded the support, TiO₂ was reduced to Ti₂O₃, etc. In the test of calcination temperature of a variety of vanadium/titania-based catalysts, it has been found that TiO₂ supports affects the optimal calcination temperature, indicating that the difference of crystal structure, defect and binding energy in TiO₂ may make inherent VO_x (x < 2.5)/V₂O₅ molar ratios, respectively. Its ratio seems to be an index of activity.     

Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol with carbon nanotubes supported Pt-Co catalysts

The Pt-Co catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been prepared by wet impregnation and the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde (CMA) to the corresponding cinnamyl alcohol (CMO) over the catalysts has been studied in ethanol at different reaction conditions. The results show that Pt-0.17 wt%Co/CNTs catalyst exhibits the highest activity and selectivity at a reaction temperature of 60 °C under a pressure of around 2.5 MPa, and 92.4% for the conversion of CMA and 93.6% for the selectivity of CMA to CMO, respectively. The selective hydrogenation for the CO double bond in CMA would be improved as increasing the H₂ pressure, and the selective hydrogenation for the CC double bond in CMA is enhanced as increasing the reaction temperature. In addition, these catalysts have also been characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H₂-temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) and H₂-temperature programmed desorption (H₂-TPD) techniques. The results show that Pt particles are dispersed more homogeneously on the outer surface of the nanotubes, while the strong interaction between Pt and Co would improve the increasing of activated hydrogen number because of the hydrogen spillover from reduced Pt⁰ onto CNTs and increase the catalytic activity and selectivity of CMA to CMO.     

Ni3V2O8催化性能与X射线光电子能谱分析

文章采用微波加热,草酸盐共沉淀法制备了Ni3V2O8催化剂,并对催化剂进行了BET,XRD,H2-TPR,XPS,TEM和电导等技术表征,分析研究了Ni3V2O8催化剂的丙烷氧化脱氢(ODH)制丙烯催化性能与其表面物种的关系.XRD,TEM和电导实验结果表明本方法制得的Ni3V2O8催化剂晶粒均匀,平均粒径为30 nm,具有p-型半导体性质.TPR和XPS实验结果显示Ni3V2O8催化剂中,晶格氧可以较容易转换成未完全还原氧,使催化剂内各种价态的钒之间易于进行氧化还原反应并形成氧缺位,从而催化剂的表面含有较多未充分还原氧物种O-和V4 物种.催化活性结果显示当丙烷的转化率为18.60%,丙烯选择性达到60.02%,在相同转化率条件下,比文献报道的NiO和Ni3V2O8共存催化体系中的丙烯选择性高,说明Ni3V2O8催化剂中存在未充分还原的O-和V4 物种有利于提高丙烯的选择性.     

Hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene on Ni–B Nanometal Catalysts

A series of Ni–B catalysts were prepared by mixing nickel acetate in 50% ethanol/water or methanol/water solution. The solution of sodium borohydride (1 M) in excess amount to nickel was then added dropwise into the mixture to ensure full reduction of nickel cations. The mol ratio of boron to nickel in mother solution was 3 to 1. The effects of preparation conditions such as temperature, stirring speed, and sheltering gas on the particle size, surface compositions, electronic states of surface atoms and catalytic activities of the Ni–B catalysts were studied. Ranel nickel catalyst was included for comparison. These catalysts were characterized by N₂ sorption, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalysts were tested for liquid phase hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene. All of the catalysts prepared in this study had nanosized particles. The preparation condition has significant influence on the particle size and surface compositions of the catalyst. The Ni–B catalyst was passivated by boron; therefore it was more stable than Raney nickel and did not catch fire after exposure to air. The catalysts prepared under N₂ flow could suppress the oxidation of Ni by the dissolved oxygen in water and had metallic state of nickel. The catalyst prepared with vigorous stirring at 25°C under N₂ stream yielded the smallest particles and resulted in the highest activity. It was much more active than the Raney nickel catalyst. The reaction condition also has pronounced effect on the hydrogenation activity. Using methanol as the reaction solvent increased p-chloronitrobenzene conversion to a large extent, compared to that using ethanol as the reaction medium. The selectivity of main product (p-chloroaniline) was greater than 99% on all of the Ni–B catalysts.     

CO oxidation over Ru(0 0 0 1) at near-atmospheric pressures: From chemisorbed oxygen to RuO2

RuO₂(1 1 0) was formed on Ru(0 0 0 1) under oxygen-rich reaction conditions at 550 K and high pressures. This phase was also synthesized using pure O₂ and high reaction temperatures. Subsequently the RuO₂ was subjected to CO oxidation reaction at stoichiometric and net reducing conditions at near-atmospheric pressures. Both in situ polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRAS) and post-reaction Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) measurements indicate that RuO₂ gradually converts to a surface oxide and then to a chemisorbed oxygen phase. Reaction kinetics shows that the chemisorbed oxygen phase has the highest reactivity due to a smaller CO binding energy to this surface. These results also show that a chemisorbed oxygen phase is the thermodynamically stable phase under stoichiometric and reducing reaction conditions. Under net oxidizing conditions, RuO₂ displays high reactivity at relatively low temperatures (?450 K). We propose that this high reactivity involves a very reactive surface oxygen species, possibly a weakly bound, atomic oxygen or an active molecular O₂ species. RuO₂ deactivates gradually under oxidizing reaction conditions. Post-reaction AES measurements reveal that this deactivation is caused by a surface carbonaceous species, most likely carbonate, that dissociates above 500 K.     

In situ XPS investigation of Pt(Sn)/Mg(Al)O catalysts during ethane dehydrogenation experiments

Calcined hydrotalcite with or without added metal (Mg(Al)O, Pt/Mg(Al)O and Pt,Sn/Mg(Al)O) have been investigated with in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) during ethane dehydrogenation experiments. The temperature in the analysis chamber was 450 °C and the gas pressure was in the range 0.3-1 mbar. Depth profiling of calcined hydrotalcite and platinum catalysts under reaction, oxidation and in hydrogen-water mixture was performed by varying the photon energy, covering an analysis depth of 10-21 Å. It was observed that the Mg/Al ratio in the Mg(Al)O crystallites does not vary significantly in the analysis depth range studied. This result indicates that Mg and Al are homogeneously distributed in the Mg(Al)O crystallites. Catalytic tests have shown that the initial activity of a Pt,Sn/Mg(Al)O catalyst increases during an activation period consisting of several cycles of reduction-dehydrogenation-oxidation. The Sn/Mg ratio in a Pt,Sn/Mg(Al)O catalyst was followed during several such cycles, and was found to increase during the activation period, probably due to a process where tin spreads over the carrier material and covers an increasing fraction of the Mg(Al)O surface. The results further indicate that spreading of tin occurs under reduction conditions.A PtSn₂ alloy was studied separately. The surface of the alloy was enriched in Sn during reduction and reaction conditions at 450 °C. Binding energies were determined and indicated that Sn on the particle surface is predominantly in an oxidised state under reaction conditions, while Pt and a fraction of Sn is present as a reduced Pt-Sn alloy.     

Formation of interface and surface oxides on supported Pd nanoparticles

We have quantitatively studied the interaction between oxygen and an Fe₃O₄-supported Pd model catalyst by molecular beam (MB) methods, time resolved IR reflection absorption spectroscopy (TR-IRAS) and photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) using synchrotron radiation. The well-shaped Pd particles were prepared in situ by metal evaporation and growth under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions on a well-ordered Fe₃O₄ film on Pt(1 1 1).It is found that for oxidation temperatures up to 450 K oxygen predominantly chemisorbs on metallic Pd whereas at 500 K and above (∼10⁻⁶ mbar effective oxygen pressure) large amounts of Pd oxide are formed. These Pd oxide species preferentially form a thin layer at the particle/support interface, stabilized by the iron-oxide support. Their formation and reduction is fully reversible. Upon decomposition, oxygen is released which migrates back onto the metallic part of the Pd surface. In consequence, the Pd interface oxide layer acts as an oxygen reservoir, the capacity of which by far exceeds the amount of chemisorbed oxygen on the metallic surface.Additionally, Pd surface oxides can also be formed at temperatures above 500 K. The extent of surface oxide formation critically depends on the oxidation temperature. This effect is addressed to different onset temperatures for oxidation of the particle facets and sites. It is shown that the presence of Pd surface oxides sensitively modifies the adsorption and reaction properties of the model catalyst, i.e. by lowering the CO adsorption energy and CO oxidation probability. Still, a complete reduction of the Pd surface oxides can be obtained by extended CO exposure, fully reestablishing the metallic Pd surface.     

银/二氧化硅复合材料对硝酸钠红外吸收光谱特性影响

对海洋营养盐进行快速检测是海洋污染监控中的一项重要任务。测量了硝酸钠溶液蒸发过程中的红外光谱,发现表面增强红外光谱法在营养盐的快速检测中有重要的应用价值。采用Stober方法制备了二氧化硅纳米颗粒,然后采用银氨溶液与二氧化硅溶液混合的方法制备银/二氧化硅(Ag/SiO₂)复合材料,并利用扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)以及紫外-可见(UV-Visible)吸收光谱对其进行表征。研究了硝酸钠水溶液干燥过程中Ag/SiO₂复合材料对硝酸钠红外吸收光谱的影响,结果表明硝酸根反对称伸缩振动吸收峰的吸收强度得到增强,这可能来自Ag/SiO₂薄膜材料的界面效应。     

Surface chemistry and microstructural analysis of CexZr1−xO2−y model catalyst surfaces

Cerium-zirconium mixed metal oxides are widely used as promoters in automotive emissions control catalyst systems (three-way catalysts). The addition of zirconium in the cubic lattice of ceria improves the redox properties and the thermal stability, thereby increasing the catalyst efficiency and longevity. The surface composition and availability of surface oxygen of model ceria-zirconia catalyst promoters was considered to develop a reference for future catalytic reactivity studies. The microstructure was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the effect of zirconium substitution on crystalline structure and grain size. Additionally, the Ce/Zr surface atomic ratio and existence of Ce³⁺ defect sites were examined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) for samples with different zirconium concentrations. The surface composition of the model systems with respect to cerium and zirconium concentration is representative of the bulk, indicating no appreciable surface species segregation during model catalyst preparation or exposure to ultrahigh vacuum conditions and analysis techniques. Additionally, the concentration of Ce³⁺ defect sites was constant and independent of composition. The quantity of surface oxygen was unaffected by electron bombardment or prolonged exposure to ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Additionally, XRD analysis did not indicate the presence of additional crystalline phases beyond the cubic structure for compositions from 100 to 25 at.% cerium, although additional phases may be present in undetectable quantities. This analysis is an important initial step for determining surface reactions and pathways for the development of efficient and sulfur-tolerant automotive emissions control catalysts.     

Understanding the Effects of Ultrasound (408 kHz) on the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) on Raney-Ni in Alkaline Media

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurring at the Raney-Ni mesh electrode in 30 wt.-% aqueous KOH solution were studied in the absence (silent) and presence of ultrasound (408 kHz, ∼54 W, 100% acoustic amplitude) at different electrolyte temperatures (T = 25, 40 and 60 °C). Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments were performed to analyse the electrochemical behaviour of the Raney-Ni electrode under these conditions. Under silent conditions, it was found that the electrocatalytic activity of Raney-Ni towards the HER and the OER depends upon the electrolyte temperature, and higher current densities at lower overpotentials were achieved at elevated temperatures. It was also observed that the HER activity of Raney-Ni under ultrasonic conditions increased at low temperatures (e.g., 25 °C) while the ultrasonic effect on the OER was found to be insignificant. In addition, it was observed that the ultrasonic effect on both the HER and OER decreases by elevating the temperature. In our conditions, it is suggested that ultrasound enhances the electrocatalytic performance of Raney-Ni towards the HER due to principally the efficient gas bubble removal from the electrode surface and the dispersion of gas bubbles into the electrolyte, and this effect depends upon the behaviour of the hydrogen and oxygen gas bubbles in alkaline media.     

负载Cu的镁铝复合金属氧化物催化合成碳酸丙烯酯

通过浸渍法制备了负载Cu的镁铝水滑石类化合物Cu/HT,经过450℃焙烧得到负载Cu的镁铝复合金属氧化物Cu/LDO,利用X射线衍射(XRD)、红外光谱(FTIR)分析等技术对催化剂的结构进行了表征。研究了其对尿素与1,2-丙二醇合成碳酸丙烯酯的催化性能。考察了反应温度、反应时间、催化剂用量等工艺条件对反应性能的影响。结果表明,以水滑石为前躯体的负载Cu的镁铝复合金属氧化物cu/LDO对尿素与1,2-丙二醇合成碳酸丙烯酯具有比较好的催化活性。当反应温度为170℃、1,2-丙二醇与尿素的摩尔比为4:1、催化剂用量为原料总质量的1.0%、反应时间为3h时,碳酸丙烯酯的收率达到95.2%。     

Surface characterization and reactivity of vanadium-tin oxide nanoparticles

Surface state and reactivity of vanadium-tin mixed oxide nanoparticles (V/Sn ratios 0.05-0.2) were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and catalytic measurements. Analyses by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) revealed that the oxidation state and surface structure of vanadium oxide species and the electronic interaction between Sn and V atoms are dependent upon the vanadium content. These oxides were evaluated as catalysts for methanol oxidation in a fixed-bed reactor. Both reaction rate and formaldehyde selectivity increased with increasing the vanadium amount in catalyst. Results demonstrate that the V⁵⁺ site in the bridging V-O-Sn structure exhibits a high redox activity to facilitate the transformation of adsorbed methoxy to formaldehyde and that the vanadium dispersion plays a crucial role in the surface reactivity. A mechanism that elucidates the catalytic redox process is proposed.     

Surface modification and characterization of magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate nanowhiskers

In order to enhance the compatibility with plastic polymers, magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate (MHSH) nanowhiskers were modified through grafting methyl methacrylate (MMA) on the surface of the nanowhiskers by emulsion polymerization. The influences of the reaction time, MMA monomer content, adding speed of monomer and the reaction temperature on the grafting ratio were investigated. Thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and surface contact angle measurement were used to characterize the effect of surface modification. The results showed that the MHSH nanowhiskers were uniformly coated by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and a well-defined core-shell hybrid structure of MHSH/PMMA was obtained. The surface contact angle of the hybrid whiskers increased to 87.32° from 12.71° and the whiskers surface was changed from hydrophilic to lipophilic.     

Field emission properties and surface structure of nickel containing amorphous carbon

Nickel containing amorphous carbon (a-C:Ni) films have been deposited by filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) technique by introducing pure nickel into the graphite target. The field electron emission property of a-C:Ni was improved when compared to that of pure tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) by FCVA. The emission threshold field of a-C:Ni film is about 5 V μm⁻¹, whilst the threshold field of the ta-C film is about 13 V μm⁻¹. Raman spectroscopy suggests that the sp² clusters in the carbon film increase both in size and number when Ni is introduced. However, the emission was found to degrade to threshold fields beyond 20 V μm⁻¹ after the a-C:Ni film was left in ambient for a week. This observation is attributed to surface absorption of oxygen on the a-C:Ni film, as determined by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.     

Interaction of carbon monoxide and oxygen at the surface of inverse titania/Au model catalyst

Interaction of carbon monoxide and oxygen on the surface of titania/Au(1 1 1) inverse model catalyst held at 200 K has been studied by reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy. It was found that CO adsorbs on the oxide/Au perimeter interface, whereas no or very weak adsorption was observed on Au(1 1 1) or titania surface, respectively. Exposing of such species to oxygen results in their decay possibly due to carbon dioxide formation. Efficiency of this effect is higher at lower CO initial concentration which points at the importance of free surface sites for the reaction process.     

Carbonization of Chitosan in Palladium-Chitosan/ Montmorillonite Composites to Prepare Novel Heterogeneous Catalysts for Heck Reactions

Palladium-carbon/montmorillonite (Pd-C/MMT) heterogeneous catalysts were prepared by carbonization of chitosan in palladium-chitosan/montmorillonite (Pd-CS/MMT) composites under a N₂ atmosphere. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the carbonization temperature (250, 450, and 650°C) on the material microstructure and its catalytic performance. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the formation of an intercalation of the carbonaceous material between the clay mineral layers which was also confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra results. The N content of the Pd-C/MMT catalyst decreased as the carbonization temperature was increased. Thermogravimetry curves revealed that the thermal stability of the Pd-C/MMT catalyst increased obviously as the carbonization temperature was increased. Pd nanoparticles, sized at about 20 nm, were mainly dispersed on the surface of the MMT, as observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The prepared Pd-C/MMT catalysts had good catalytic activity when applied in Heck coupling reactions of aromatic halides and alkenes to produce aryl olefins. The relations between the recyclability and the material composition are discussed.     

Oxygen stoichiometry controlled sharp insulator-metal transition in highly oriented VO2/TiO2 thin films

The insulator-metal transition (IMT) in vanadium dioxide (VO₂) which occurs above room temperature (67 °C) is highly sensitive to atomic defects caused by oxygen stoichiometry. The strained growth and the degree of oxygen deficiency in VO₂ epitaxial films result in lowering of transition temperature below room temperature as well as the broadening of transition parameters such as transition width and hysteresis width, which limit its application potential. Here we demonstrate the growth of highly oriented strain-relaxed VO₂ thin films on (001)-oriented TiO₂ substrates at various oxygen partial pressures, exhibiting the narrow transition and hysteresis width. The cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analyses of the films reveal the highly oriented growth of insulating monoclinic VO₂. The IMT parameters associated with temperature-dependent phase transition vary with the oxygen partial pressure used during the deposition. The presence of multiple and mixed valence states of vanadium in the films was confirmed by Raman and XPS analyses. We have achieved a narrow transition width (2.3 °C) and hysteresis width (1.2 °C) through controlling the oxygen stoichiometry during the growth of VO₂/TiO₂ films.