Counting electrons on supported nanoparticles

Lykhach Y, Kozlov SM, Skala T, Tovt A, Stetsovych V, Tsud N, Dvorak F, Johanek V, Neitzel A, Myslivecek J, Fabris S, Matolin V, Neyman KM, Libuda J (2016)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Nature Materials Nature Publishing Group

Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Book Volume: 15

Pages Range: 284-+

Journal Issue: 3

DOI: 10.1038/NMAT4500

Abstract

Electronic interactions between metal nanoparticles and oxide supports control the functionality of nanomaterials, for example, the stability, the activity and the selectivity of catalysts(1-5). Such interactions involve electron transfer across the metal/support interface. In this work we quantify this charge transfer on a well-defined platinum/ceria catalyst at particle sizes relevant for heterogeneous catalysis. Combining synchrotron-radiation photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy and density functional calculations we show that the charge transfer per Pt atom is largest for Pt particles of around 50 atoms. Here, approximately one electron is transferred per ten Pt atoms from the nanoparticle to the support. For larger particles, the charge transfer reaches its intrinsic limit set by the support. For smaller particles, charge transfer is partially suppressed by nucleation at defects. These mechanistic and quantitative insights into charge transfer will help to make better use of particle size effects and electronic metal-support interactions in metal/oxide nanomaterials.

Authors with CRIS profile

Yaroslava Lykhach Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II Armin Neitzel Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II Jörg Libuda Professur für Physikalische Chemie

Additional Organisation(s)

Exzellenz-Cluster Engineering of Advanced Materials

Involved external institutions

Univerzita Karlova v Praze / Charles University in Prague CZ Czech Republic (CZ) Universitat de Barcelona (UB) / University of Barcelona ES Spain (ES) Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) / National Research Council of Italy IT Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Lykhach, Y., Kozlov, S.M., Skala, T., Tovt, A., Stetsovych, V., Tsud, N.,... Libuda, J. (2016). Counting electrons on supported nanoparticles. Nature Materials, 15(3), 284-+. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/NMAT4500

MLA:

Lykhach, Yaroslava, et al. "Counting electrons on supported nanoparticles." Nature Materials 15.3 (2016): 284-+.

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