A DFT Study on the Structure and Properties of Cu/Cr2O3 Catalyst

Using DFT method, the stable adsorption configurations of Cu₄ cluster on Cr₂O₃ (0001) surface were investigated. The regular tetrahedron structure and the planar structures were considered as the initial adsorption configuration of Cu₄ cluster, respectively. The adsorption energies of the two structures were also calculated. The simulation result indicated that the adsorption energy of the regular tetrahedron structure was higher than that of the planar structure, and thus the regular tetrahedron structure was confirmed to be the stable adsorption configuration for Cu₄ cluster on Cr₂O₃ (0001) surface. Moreover, it was observed that the Cu₄ cluster showed the definite stable adsorption sites on Cr₂O₃ (0001) surface, namely 3‐fold O sites. During the adsorption process of Cu₄ cluster onto Cr₂O₃ (0001) surface, the Cu₄ cluster could bond with more Cr or O atoms on the surface, and the apparent charge transfer also occurred correspondingly. Meanwhile, the Cu₄ cluster and Cr₂O₃ (0001) surface would bond in the form of local polarization to enhance the stability of adsorption configuration.