Sub-nanometer-thick Al2O3 Overcoat Remarkably Enhancing Thermal Stability of Supported Gold Catalysts

Supported gold nanoparticle catalysts show extraordinarily high activity in many reactions. While the relative poor thermal stability of Au nanoparticles against sintering at elevated temperatures severely limits their practical applications. Here atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ was performed to deposit an Au/TiO₂ catalyst with precise thickness con-trol, and the thermal stability was investigated. We surprisingly found that sub-nanometer-thick Al₂O₃ overcoat can su ciently inhibit the aggregation of Au particles up to 600 C in oxygen. On the other hand, the enhancement of Au nanoparticle stability by TiO₂ overcoat is very limited. Di use reffectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) of CO chemisorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements both con rmed the ALD overcoat on Au particles surface and suggested that the presence of TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ ALD overcoat on Au nanoparticles does not considerably change the electronic properties of Au nanoparticles. The catalytic activities of the Al₂O₃ overcoated Au/TiO₂ catalysts in CO oxidation increased as increasing calcination temperature, which suggests that the embed-ded Au nanoparticles become more accessible for catalytic function after high temperature treatment, consistent with our DRIFTS CO chemisorption results.     

通过CeOx修饰提高金纳米颗粒在CO氧化反应中的催化活性和耐久性

CO催化氧化是一个重要的经典反应,与许多应用息息相关,包括痕量CO气体检测、汽车尾气净化和安全防护等,吸引了人们广泛的研究兴趣.负载型Au纳米颗粒在CO氧化等许多反应中有着与众不同的催化活性,具有广泛的应用前景,但依然存在着稳定性差、易团聚失活的问题.人们通过应用多孔载体隔离Au纳米颗粒,在Au纳米颗粒表面覆盖金属氧化物、二氧化硅或碳,以及对Au纳米粒子进行封装等方法解决这些问题.尤其是利用金属氧化物与Au纳米粒子间的强相互作用对其进行覆盖或封装,有效地提高了Au催化材料的稳定性.但以上策略操作流程复杂,不利于应用.本文发展了一种简单有效的方法,通过EDTA的络合作用引入CeOx对Au纳米粒子进行修饰,得到的CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂活性和耐久性明显提升.采用X射线衍射(XRD)和高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)证明了CeOx成功地修饰在Au纳米颗粒上.且通过EDTA引入CeOx所制备的CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂结构明显不同于直接加入纳米CeO2所得到的CeOx-Au/SiO2的结构.EDTA的络合作用能有效地连结Ce与Au物种,经焙烧消除EDTA后,加强了CeOx与Au间相互作用,最终在Au纳米粒子表面形成丰富的CeOx颗粒与原子级厚度的CeOx层.进一步应用X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和氢气程序升温还原(H2-TPR)等手段研究了CeOx修饰对Au纳米粒子的影响.XPS结果表明,CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂带正电的Au+和Au3+的浓度明显高于一般的Au/SiO2和直接加入CeO2制备得到的CeOx-Au/SiO2催化剂.H2-TPR同样表明,CeOx修饰调变了Au纳米粒子的氧化还原性.这些均对其在CO催化氧化反应中的催化活性具有重要影响将CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂用于CO催化氧化反应中,160°C时,CO转化率达98.8％,至180°C后实现了CO的完全转化.而一般的Au/SiO2催化剂在160°C时CO转化率仅为4.0％,CO的完全转化则需340°C.直接加入纳米CeO2所得到的CeOx-Au/SiO2催化剂,其催化活性略有提升,CO完全转化所需的温度为300°C.这充分证明了通过CeOx修饰Au纳米粒子,能有效提升其催化活性.原位漫反射红外光谱(DRIFT)结果表明,CeOx修饰促进了CO在Au表面的吸附,并能形成[Au(CO)2]δ+物种;同时还观察到大量的单齿CO32? 物种信号,反映了CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂表面存在丰富的活性氧物种.通入O2后,观察到了大量CO32?物种信号和气相CO2,印证了催化剂表面发生的CO催化氧化过程,也表明其具有非常高的催化活性.考察了CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂的耐久性,发现经50 h CO氧化反应,催化剂依然能有效保持活性.相比之下,Au/SiO2催化剂经10 h反应后,开始明显失活.由此可见,CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂具有相当高的耐久性.在600°C将催化剂焙烧3 h,发现Au/SiO2催化剂中Au纳米粒子存在明显团聚现象,而CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂的Au纳米粒子依然均匀分布在载体表面,且粒径未发生明显变化.     

CO oxidation over Au/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalists: The effect of the support composition of the au-support interaction

The effect of the support composition on the Au-support interactions and its role in the creation of the activity of Au/CeO₂-ZrO₂ catalysts in CO oxidation has been studied. The CeO₂-ZrO₂ oxides and Au/CeO₂-ZrO₂ catalysts were synthesized, characterized by BET, XRD, HRTEM, AAS, TPR-H₂, and tested in CO oxidation. An approximate evaluation of the H₂ consumption for the surface reduction of the studied samples was estimated applying the model developed by Johnson and Mooi, which is based on the qualitative relationship between the amount of the capping oxygen and BET surface area. The sequence of the increasing percentage of O₂ atoms in the capping peak to the total Ce atoms follows the sequence of the decreasing Zr/Ce molar ratio in the sample. The activity of Au/CeO₂-ZrO₂ catalysts depends on the support composition and increases with the decrease in Zr/Ce molar ratio.     

CO oxidation over ceria supported Au22 nanoclusters: Shape effect of the support

CO oxidation over ceria-supported Au₂₂ nanoclusters shows strong dependence on the support shape: the lattice oxygen in CeO₂ rods is more reactive than in the cubes and thus make rods a superior support for Au nanoclusters in catalyzing low temperature CO oxidation.     

Electronic Metal-Support Interaction-Modified Structures and Catalytic Activity of CeOx Overlayers in CeOx/Ag Inverse Catalysts

Electronic metal-support interactions (EMSIs) of oxide-supported metal catalysts strongly modifies the electronic structures of the supported metal nanoparticles. The strong influence of EMSIs on the electronic structures of oxide overlayers on metal nanoparticles employing cerium oxides/Ag inverse catalysts is reported herein. Ce₂O₃ overlayers were observed to exclusively form on Ag nanocrystals at low cerium loadings and be resistant to oxidation treatments up to 250 °C, whereas CeO₂ overlayers gradually developed as the cerium loading increased. Ag cubes enclosed by {001} facets with a smaller work function exert a stronger EMSI effect on the CeO_x overlayers than Ag cubes enclosed by {111} facets. Only the CeO₂ overlayers with a fully developed bulk CeO₂ electronic structure significantly promote the catalytic activity of Ag nanocrystals in CO oxidation, whereas cerium oxide overlayers with other electronic structures do not. These results successfully extend the concept of EMSIs from oxide-supported metal catalysts to metal-supported oxide catalysts.     

The activity and thermal stability of RhOx/CeO2 nanocomposites prepared by radio-frequency plasma sputtering

The model RhO_x/CeO₂ systems were prepared by radio-frequency (RF) plasma sputtering of Rh electrode in O₂ or Ar/O₂ atmosphere. Thermal stability of the systems and their reaction probability towards CO oxidation were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was shown that the small oxidized Rh nanoparticles on the CeO₂ surface (RhO_x/CeO₂) obtained by RF sputtering in O₂ have spectroscopic characteristics close to those of Rh³⁺ ions highly dispersed in ceria lattice. The RhO_x/CeO₂ system remains stable upon heating in vacuum at 450°C and shows reactivity towards CO oxidation at T > 200°C. RF sputtering in Ar/O₂ atmosphere results in the formation of larger rhodium nanoparticles that are close to Rh₂O₃ oxide. The Rh₂O₃/CeO₂ system demonstrates lower activity in CO oxidation and cannot be reduced at a temperature below 300°C.     

Nanoceria Supported Gold Catalysts for CO Oxidation

Two types of CeO₂ nanocubes (average size of 5 and 20 nm, respectively) prepared via the hydrothermal process were selected to load gold species via a deposition‐precipitation (DP) method. Various measurements, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS), and temperature‐programmed reduction by hydrogen (H₂‐TPR), were applied to characterize the catalysts. It is found that the sample with ceria size of 20 nm (Au/CeO₂‐20) was covered by well dispersed both Au³⁺ and Au^δ+ (0 < δ < 1). For the other sample with ceria size of 5 nm (Au/CeO₂‐5), Au³⁺ is the dominant gold species. Au/CeO₂‐20 performed better catalytic activity for CO oxidation because of the strong CO adsorption of Au^δ+ in the catalysts. The catalytic activity of Au/CeO₂‐5 was improved due to the transformation of Au³⁺ to Au^δ+. Based on the CO oxidation and in situ DRIFTS results, Au^δ+ is likely to play a more important role in catalyzing CO oxidation reaction.     

Catalytic carbon monoxide oxidation over CuO/CeO2 composite catalysts

Summary CeO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition of cerous nitrate and then used as supports for CuO/CeO₂ catalysts prepared via the impregnation method. The samples were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, H₂-TPR and XPS. The catalytic properties of the catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation were studied by using a microreactor-GC system.     

温和条件下Au/HY催化剂催化氧化丙三醇制丙醇二酸

研究了不同载体负载的Au催化剂催化丙三醇水相选择性氧化制丙醇二酸.与Au/CeO2,Au/AC,Au/REY和Au/NaY催化剂相比,Au/HY上获得了高收率的丙醇二酸.在60°C和0.3 MPa氧气压力下,丙三醇转化率达98%,丙醇二酸收率为80%.表征结果表明,小尺寸的Au纳米颗粒对生成丙醇二酸有明显促进作用;反应过程中丙三醇先被催化氧化生成甘油酸,再被进一步氧化生成丙醇二酸.     

CO oxidation over Au/Al2O3catalysts modified by MgO

Summary Au/Al₂O₃catalysts modified by MgO were tested in CO oxidation using temperature programmed technique. Contrary to Au/Al₂O₃the modified Au/MgO-Al₂O₃catalysts showed high activity in the sub-ambient and ambient temperature ranges.     

Correlation of the Catalytic Activity for Oxidation Taking Place on Various TiO2 Surfaces with Surface OH Groups and Surface Oxygen Vacancies

Three catalytic oxidation reactions have been studied: The ultraviolet (UV) light induced photocatalytic decomposition of the synthetic dye sulforhodamine B (SRB) in the presence of TiO₂ nanostructures in water, together with two reactions employing Au/TiO₂ nanostructure catalysts, namely, CO oxidation in air and the decomposition of formaldehyde under visible light irradiation. Four kinds of TiO₂ nanotubes and nanorods with different phases and compositions were prepared for this study, and gold nanoparticle (Au‐NP) catalysts were supported on some of these TiO₂ nanostructures (to form Au/TiO₂ catalysts). FTIR emission spectroscopy (IES) measurements provided evidence that the order of the surface OH regeneration ability of the four types of TiO₂ nanostructures studied gave the same trend as the catalytic activities of the TiO₂ nanostructures or their respective Au/TiO₂ catalysts for the three oxidation reactions. Both IES and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) proved that anatase TiO₂ had the strongest OH regeneration ability among the four types of TiO₂ phases or compositions. Based on these results, a model for the surface OH group generation, absorption, and activation of molecular oxygen has been proposed: The oxygen vacancies at the bridging O^2? sites on TiO₂ surfaces dissociatively absorb water molecules to form OH groups that facilitate adsorption and activation of O₂ molecules in nearby oxygen vacancies by lowering the absorption energy of molecular O₂. A new mechanism for the photocatalytic formaldehyde decomposition with the Au/TiO₂ catalysts is also proposed, based on the photocatalytic activity of the Au‐NPs under visible light. The Au‐NPs absorb the light owing to the surface plasmon resonance effect and mediate the electron transfers that the reaction needs.     

合成方法对Rh/CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3催化剂的结构、表面性能及DeNOx活性的影响

用沉积沉淀法合成两种不同系列的CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3混合氧化物(ZrO2和La2O3沉积CeO2粒子(标记为A-x)以及CeO2和La2O3沉积ZrO2粒子(标记为B-x)),并用作Rh催化剂的载体。XRD、拉曼、TPR、XPS和O2脉冲等表征结果显示出不同的沉积顺序将导致不同的结构和氧化还原性能,且B-x具有更高的氧迁移性、储氧能力和表面Ce浓度。当其负载Rh后,Rh/B-x催化剂具有更高的NO和CO转化率及N2选择性,且Ce的最佳含量为50at%。这可能归因于Rh负载于富铈表面形成更多有利于NO分解的表面Ce3+活性位。     

固相浸渍法制备NiO/CeO2催化剂及其在CO氧化反应中的应用

采用固相浸渍法制备了一系列NiO/CeO2催化剂,并通过与常规湿浸渍法比较,考察了制备方法对催化剂和CO氧化反应性能的影响.同时结合X射线衍射(XRD),N2吸附-脱附(BET),透射电镜(TEM),氢气-程序升温还原(H2-TPR),拉曼(Raman)光谱,X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等手段对催化剂的结构和表面物种分散状态进行了表征.CO氧化活性测试结果表明,当镍负载量相同时,固相浸渍法制备的催化剂相比于湿浸渍法表现出更好的催化性能.TEM、XPS、H2-TPR结果表明,固相浸渍法更有利于加强镍铈间的相互作用和得到高分散的镍物种,从而促进镍物种的还原.Raman结果表明固相浸渍法相比于湿浸渍法能产生更多氧空位,这有利于氧气在催化剂表面的活化,使得CO氧化反应更容易进行.     

Development of Ceria-Supported Ruthenium Catalysts Effective for Various Synthetic Reactions

Our recent results on organic transformations such as C–C bond formation via the activation of stable C–C or C–H bonds and aerobic oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by CeO₂-supported ruthenium are reviewed. A simple, recyclable heterogeneous Ru/CeO₂ catalyst showed excellent activity for sequential transfer-allylation/isomerization of homoallyl alcohols with aldehydes to saturated ketones via the C–C bond activation. While homogeneous ruthenium and rhodium complex catalysts require additives and/or pressurized CO, the reaction with Ru/CeO₂ smoothly proceeded in the absence of any additives. The Ru/CeO₂ catalyst also showed excellent activity for the addition of sp² C–H bonds of aromatic ketones to vinylsilanes. The Ru/CeO₂ catalyst realized the chelation-assisted arylation of stable aromatic C–H bonds with aryl chlorides. The activity of the catalyst was greatly improved by the PPh₃-modification under hydrogen atmosphere prior to the reactions. The catalyst acts heterogeneously without a significant leaching of ruthenium species, indicating that the Ru/CeO₂ catalyst has an advantage over homogeneous catalysts from practical and environmental points of view. The effects of chemical and physical properties of CeO₂ on the activity of CeO₂-supported noble metal catalysts were examined. Porous CeO₂ powders were prepared by the coagulation of solvothermally synthesized colloidal ceria nanoparticles, and the thus-prepared CeO₂ powders showed an oxygen migration ability far superior to the CeO₂ samples prepared by the usual precipitation method. The ruthenium catalysts supported on the former CeO₂ powders showed a high activity for the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The effects of the pore structure of CeO₂ powders on the activity of the Ru/CeO₂ catalysts are also discussed.     

Temperature-programmed reduction of lightly yttrium-doped Au/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts

The reducibility of Au catalysts on CeO₂ supports doped with 1 and 2.5 mass% Y₂O₃ by two types of preparation methods (impregnation and co-precipitation) has been studied by temperature-programmed reduction and compared with that of pure Au/CeO₂. The kinetic parameters of reduction were determined simulating each reduction process. The capacities of these catalysts to retain oxygen have been evaluated by temperature-programmed desorption. The catalytic activities in water gas shift reaction were determined measuring CO conversion between 413 and 623 K. The catalytic performances of all these catalysts were explained in terms of mobility of the oxygen ions of the CeO₂ lattice.     

Au/M-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotube catalysts (M=Ce,Ga, Co,Y): preparation,characterization and their catalytic activity for CO oxidation

The M-modified TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) (M?=?Ce, Ga, Co, Y, 2.0 wt%) were synthesized by combining sol-gel method with hydrothermal treatment, based on which gold was loaded by the deposition–precipitation approach. These catalysts were loaded with 1.5 wt% gold and calcined at 300?°C, and their catalytic performance was compared with Au/TiO₂ NTs in CO oxidation. TEM results manifested Au/M-TiO₂ NTs (M?=?Ce, Ga, Co, Y) had smaller gold nanoparticles than Au/TiO₂ NTs. Patterns of XPS revealed the presence of the strong interaction between gold and support in Au/M-TiO₂ NTs (M?=?Ce, Ga, Co, Y). Ce⁴⁺, Ga³⁺, Co²⁺, and Y³⁺ ions were present as CeO₂, Ga₂O₃, CoO, and Y₂O₃ in Au/M-TiO₂ NTs (M?=?Ce, Ga, Co, Y), respectively. Based on O₂-TPD studies, Au/M-TiO₂ NTs (M?=?Ce, Ga, Co, Y) provided new O₂ adsorption sites for the adsorption and activation of oxygen in CO oxidation. M (M?=?Ce, Ga, Co, Y) modifying performed the positive effect on CO oxidation activity and Au/Y-TiO₂ NTs showed the highest activity among these catalysts. Additionally, Au/Y-TiO₂ NTs also performed excellent high-temperature stability. It was likely that the strong interaction between gold and support created the small size of gold nanoparticles, large O₂ adsorption and plenty of defects, thereby enhancing the catalytic activity of Au/M-TiO₂ NTs (M?=?Ce, Ga, Co, Y).

Open image in new window

     

Geometrical Structure of the Gold–Iron(III) Oxide Interfacial Perimeter for CO Oxidation

The geometrical structure of the Au‐Fe₂O₃ interfacial perimeter, which is generally considered as the active sites for low‐temperature oxidation of CO, was examined. It was found that the activity of the Au/Fe₂O₃ catalysts not only depends on the number of the gold atoms at the interfacial perimeter but also strongly depends on the geometrical structure of these gold atoms, which is determined by the size of the gold particle. Aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy images unambiguously suggested that the gold particles, transformed from a two‐dimensional flat shape to a well‐faceted truncated octahedron when the size slightly enlarged from 2.2 to 3.5 nm. Such a size‐induced shape evolution altered the chemical bonding environments of the gold atoms at the interfacial perimeters and consequently their catalytic activity. For Au particles with a mean size of 2.2 nm, the interfacial perimeter gold atoms possessed a higher degree of unsaturated coordination environment while for Au particles with a mean size of 3.5 nm the perimeter gold atoms mainly followed the atomic arrangements of Au {111} and {100} facets. Kinetic study, with respect to the reaction rate and the turnover frequency on the interfacial perimeter gold atom, found that the low‐coordinated perimeter gold atoms were intrinsically more active for CO oxidation. ¹⁸O isotopic titration and Infrared spectroscopy experiments verified that CO oxidation at room temperature occurred at the Au‐Fe₂O₃ interfacial perimeter, involving the participation of the lattice oxygen of Fe₂O₃ for activating O₂ and the gold atoms for CO adsorption and activation.     

Pt/oxide nanocatalysts synthesized via the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis process: engineering metal–oxide interfaces for enhanced catalytic activity

We show that Pt nanoparticles synthesized on oxide nanocatalysts exhibit catalytic activity enhancement depending on the type of the oxide support. To synthesize the Pt/oxide nanocatalysts, we employed a versatile synthesis method using Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on various metal oxides (i.e., SiO₂, CeO₂, Al₂O₃, and FeAl₂O₄) utilizing ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. Catalytic CO oxidation was carried out on these catalysts, and it was found that the catalytic activity of the Pt NPs varied depending on the supporting oxide. While Pt/CeO₂ exhibited the highest metal dispersion and active surface area, Pt/FeAl₂O₄ exhibited the lowest active surface area. Among the Pt/oxide nanocatalysts, Pt NPs supported on CeO₂ showed the highest catalytic activity. We ascribe the enhancement in turnover frequency of the Pt/CeO₂ nanocatalysts to strong metal–support interactions due to charge transport between the metal catalysts and the oxide support. Such Pt/oxide nanocatalysts synthesized via spray pyrolysis offer potential possibilities for large-scale synthesis of tailored catalytic systems for technologically relevant applications.     

Efficient chemoselective alcohol oxidation using oxygen as oxidant. Superior performance of gold over palladium catalysts

Gold nanoparticles supported on nanocrystalline ceria (Au/CeO₂) is a general, air- and moisture-stable, commercial catalyst for the atmospheric pressure, solventless oxidation of aromatic, primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding benzaldehyde or ketone compound. Aliphatic primary alcohols are oxidized to the corresponding alkyl ester and aliphatic secondary alcohols are oxidized to ketones. Conversions and product yields are in most of the cases excellent. The oxidizing reagent and the experimental conditions are almost ideal from the environmental point of view. Comparison with analogous ceria supported and hydroxyapatite-supported palladium catalysts, Au/CeO₂ clearly shows the superior performance of Au/CeO₂ in terms of higher chemoselectivity. In contrast to palladium catalysts that promote CC double isomerization, Au/CeO₂ oxidizes selectively allylic alcohols to conjugated ketones.     

Effect of Calcination Temperature on Surface Oxygen Vacancies and Catalytic Performance Towards CO Oxidation of Co3O4 Nanoparticles Supported on SiO2

Co₃O₄/SiO₂ catalysts for CO oxidation were prepared by conventional incipient wetness impregnation followed by calcination at various temperatures. Their structures were char-acterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. Both XRD and Raman spectroscopy only detect the ex-istence of Co₃O₄ crystallites in all catalysts. However, XPS results indicate that excess Co²⁺ ions are present on the surface of Co₃O₄ in Co₃O₄(200)/SiO₂ as compared with bulk Co₃O₄. Meanwhile, TPR results suggest the presence of surface oxygen vacancies on Co₃O₄ in Co₃O₄(200)/SiO₂, and XAFS results demonstrate that Co₃O₄ in Co₃O₄(200)/SiO₂ con-tains excess Co²⁺. Increasing calcination temperature results in oxidation of excess Co²⁺ and the decrease of the concentration of surface oxygen vacancies, consequently the for-mation of stoichiometric Co₃O₄ on supported catalysts. Among all Co₃O₄/SiO₂ catalysts,Co₃O₄(200)/SiO₂ exhibits the best catalytic performance towards CO oxidation, demon-strating that excess Co²⁺ and surface oxygen vacancies can enhance the catalytic activity of Co₃O₄ towards CO oxidation. These results nicely demonstrate the effect of calcination temperature on the structure and catalytic performance towards CO oxidation of silica-supported Co₃O₄ catalysts and highlight the important role of surface oxygen vacancies on Co₃O₄.