Kinetics and thermodynamics of carbon segregation and graphene growth on Ru(0 0 0 1)

We measure the concentration of carbon adatoms on the Ru(0 0 0 1) surface that are in equilibrium with C atoms in the crystal’s bulk by monitoring the electron reflectivity of the surface while imaging. During cooling from high temperature, C atoms segregate to the Ru surface, causing graphene islands to nucleate. Using low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM), we measure the growth rate of individual graphene islands and, simultaneously, the local concentration of C adatoms on the surface. We find that graphene growth is fed by the supersaturated, two-dimensional gas of C adatoms rather than by direct exchange between the bulk C and the graphene. At long times, the rate at which C diffuses from the bulk to the surface controls the graphene growth rate. The competition among C in three states - dissolved in Ru, as an adatom, and in graphene - is quantified and discussed. The adatom segregation enthalpy determined by applying the simple Langmuir-McLean model to the temperature-dependent equilibrium concentration seriously disagrees with the value calculated from first-principles. This discrepancy suggests that the assumption in the model of non-interacting C is not valid.     

Relating the electronic structure and reactivity of the 3d transition metal monoxide surfaces

We performed a series of density functional theory calculations of dissociative oxygen adsorption on fcc metals and their corresponding rocksalt monoxides to elucidate the relationship between the oxide electronic structure and its corresponding reactivity. We decomposed the dissociative adsorption energy of oxygen on an oxide surface into a sum of the adsorption energy on the metal and a change in adsorption energy caused by both expanding and oxidizing the lattice. We were able to identify the key features of the electronic structure that explains the trends in adsorption energies on 3d transition metal monoxide surfaces.     

Substrate-mediated enhanced activity of Ru nanoparticles in catalytic hydrogenation of benzene

The impact of carbon substrate-Ru nanoparticle interactions on benzene and hydrogen adsorption that is directly related to the performance in catalytic hydrogenation of benzene has been investigated by first-principles based calculations. The stability of Ru(13) nanoparticles is enhanced by the defective graphene substrate due to the hybridization between the dsp states of the Ru(13) particle with the sp(2) dangling bonds at the defect sites. The local curvature formed at the interface will also raise the Ru atomic diffusion barrier, and prohibit the particle sintering. The strong interfacial interaction results in the shift of averaged d-band center of the deposited Ru nanoparticle, from -1.41 eV for a freestanding Ru(13) particle, to -1.17 eV for the Ru/Graphene composites, and to -1.54 eV on mesocellular foam carbon. Accordingly, the adsorption energies of benzene are increased from -2.53 eV for the Ru/mesocellular foam carbon composites, to -2.62 eV on freestanding Ru(13) particles, to -2.74 eV on Ru/graphene composites. A similar change in hydrogen adsorption is also observed, and all these can be correlated to the shift of the d-band center of the nanoparticle. Thus, Ru nanoparticles graphene composites are expected to exhibit both high stability and superior catalytic performance in hydrogenation of arenes.     

Structure and Reactivity of Alkyl Ethers Adsorbed on CeO2(111) Model Catalysts

The effect of surface hydroxyls on the adsorption of ether on ceria was explored. Adsorption of dimethyl ether (DME) and diethyl ether (DEE) on oxidized and reduced CeO₂(111) films was studied and compared with Ru(0001) using RAIRS and sXPS within a UHV environment. On Ru(0001) the ethers adsorb weakly with the molecular plane close to parallel to the surface plane. On the ceria films, the adsorption of the ethers was stronger than on the metal surface, presumably due to stronger interaction of the ether oxygen lone pair electrons with a cerium cation. This interaction causes the ethers to tilt away from the surface plane compared to the Ru(0001) surface. No pronounced differences were found between oxidized (CeO₂) and reduced (CeOx) films. The adsorption of the ethers was found to be perturbed by the presence of OH groups on hydroxylated CeOx. In the case of DEE, the geometry of adsorption resembles that found on Ru, and in the case of dimethyl ether DME is in between that one found on clean CeOx and the metal surface. Decomposition of the DEE was observed on the OH/CeOx surface following high DEE exposure at 300 K and higher temperatures. Ethoxides and acetates were identified as adsorbed species on the surface by means of RAIRS and ethoxides and formates by s-XPS. No decomposition of dimethyl ether was observed on the OH/CeOx at these higher temperatures, implying that the dissociation of the C?CO bond from ethers requires the presence of ??-hydrogen.     

Interfacial coupling in rotational monolayer and bilayer graphene on Ru(0001) from first principles

The interaction of graphene with metal is of critical importance for further optimization of the growth and transfer processes to achieve productive graphene. Here we report first-principles calculations with van der Waals corrections to address in-plane orientation effects on the geometric structure and electronic properties of monolayer and bilayer graphene on a Ru(0001) surface. We find that the recently measured slight rotation between monolayer graphene and Ru lattices minorly affects the characteristic geometric and electronic structures simulated to date for strict alignment. For epitaxial bilayer graphene, we unveil that a 25°-twisted bilayer graphene commensurate with Ru reproduces at best the hallmarks of free-standing electron-doped monolayer graphene as measured experimentally. At variance the classical Bernal stacking manifests the strongest interlayer coupling by destroying the Dirac point and exhibiting a graphite-like STM appearance. Our theoretical findings question the definite nature of the interfacial coupling of successive graphene layers grown on a strongly interacting metal substrate.     

Spill-Over Effects on Bimetallic Pt/Ru(0001) Surfaces

The concept of spill-over of adsorbed species has a long tradition in Heterogeneous Catalysis and has been explored also for adsorption on bimetallic surfaces, in particular by the Goodman group. In the present paper, we report results of a comprehensive temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy study on spill-over effects in the adsorption and desorption of CO on structurally well defined bimetallic Pt/Ru(0001) surfaces, where part of the substrate is covered by monolayer Pt islands. While upon adsorption at 90 K, the mobility of CO_ad molecules on the surface is very limited, it is activated when the adlayer is annealed to 150 K or, more directly, if CO exposure is done at 150 K or higher temperatures. This enables diffusion of CO_ad molecules to the Pt free Ru(0001) areas, even at local CO_ad coverages which preclude further adsorption from the gas phase on the Ru parts of the surface. Spill-over processes are shown to have significant impact on the TPD spectra; furthermore they provide an additional adsorption channel for adsorption on the bare Ru(0001) areas, allowing uptake of CO at local coverages where adsorption from the gas phase is precluded. This indicates that the apparent CO saturation coverage of 0.68 ML determined for direct adsorption on Ru(0001) under UHV conditions is limited by kinetics rather than thermodynamics. The data are discussed in comparison with results and interpretations in earlier studies, which indicate that these effects are not limited to the Pt/Ru(0001) surface, but may be found on a wide range of bimetallic systems.     

The Interaction of Noble Metal With La1–xSrxMnO3 (001) Surface and Catalytic Role for Oxygen Adsorption: A Density Functional Theory Study

Adsorption mechanisms of noble metals (Ag, Pd, Pt) on MnO₂‐terminated (001) surface and their catalytic role for oxygen adsorption have been investigated using the first‐principles density functional theory calculations. The analysis of the adsorption energies reveals that the energetically favorable configuration for Ag and Pd adsorption is at the O site, whereas one for Pt adsorption is at the Mn site. Pt atom exhibits the largest adsorption energy, followed by Pd and Ag atoms. Both bond population and PDOS (partial density of states) analysis confirm the formation of adatom–O–Mn bonds. Adsorption is accompanied by a charge transfer between adatoms and surface atoms. Significantly, we predict that the order on the increase of O₂ adsorption energy follows the Pd > Ag > Pt due to pre‐adsorbed noble metal atoms. The calculated bond length and bond population of O₂ molecule demonstrate that pre‐adsorbed noble metal atoms facilitates O₂ molecule dissociate to O atoms, thus contributing to the surface oxygen diffusion process. Our calculations identify an important catalytic role of noble metal in LSM‐based catalysts, which may improve electrochemical performance for SOFCs cathodes.     

Water Sorption and Diffusion in (Reduced) Graphene Oxide‐Alginate Biopolymer Nanocomposites

The water sorption and diffusion in (reduced) graphene oxide‐alginate composites of various compositions is analyzed. Water sorption of sodium alginate can be significantly reduced by the inclusion of graphene oxide sheets due to the formation of an extensive hydrogen bonding network between oxygenated groups. Crosslinking alginate with divalent metal ions and the presence of reduced graphene oxide can further improve the swelling resistance due to the strong interactions between metal ions, alginate, and filler sheets. Depending on conditions and composition, the overall water barrier properties of alginate composites improve upon (reduced) graphene oxide filling, making them attractive for moisture barrier coating applications. Water sorption kinetics in all alginate composites indicate a non‐Fickian diffusion process that can be accurately described by the Variable Surface Concentration model. In addition, the water barrier properties of sodium alginate‐graphene oxide composites can be adequately predicted using a simple model that takes the orientational order of filler sheets and their effective aspect ratio into account.

     

Graphene growth on Pt(111) and Au(111) using a MBE carbon solid-source

In this work we present a Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) growth method to obtain graphene on noble metals using evaporation of carbon atoms from a carbon solid-source in ultra-high vacuum conditions. We have synthesized graphene (G) on different metal surfaces: from a well studied substrate as platinum, to a substrate where it can only be formed using innovative methods, as is the case of gold. For the characterization of the graphene layers we have used in situ surface science techniques as low energy electron diffraction (LEED), auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).One of the main advantages of our methodology is that low surface temperatures are required to form graphene. Thus, by annealing Pt(111) and Au(111) substrates up to 650 °C and 550 °C respectively during carbon evaporation, we have obtained the characteristic LEED diagrams commonly attributed to graphene on these surfaces. STM results further prove the formation of graphene. For the case of G on Pt(111), STM images show a long range ordering associated with moiré patterns that correspond to a monolayer of graphene on (111) platinum surface. On the other hand, G/Au(111) STM results reveal the formation of dendritic islands pinned to atomic step edges. This method opens up new possibilities for the formation of graphene on many different substrates with potential technological applications.     

乳液法制备石墨烯气凝胶及其吸附水中亚甲基蓝

利用乳液法制备多孔石墨烯气凝胶（emGA）,改变乳液油水比制备不同的emGA。扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、傅里叶红外光谱（FTIR）、氮气吸附脱附等表征显示,emGA具有多孔结构,经水热还原后含氧官能团大部分被除去,比表面积为103.3～243.1m²/g。以亚甲基蓝（MB）浓度和温度作为变量,考察emGA对水中MB的吸附效果。结果表明,emGA的比表面积越大,其对MB平衡吸附量越大;当初始浓度越大,温度越高,则吸附有利。吸附动力学数据表明emGA吸附MB符合准二级动力学模型和内扩散模型,吸附过程分为大孔扩散和微孔扩散。吸附等温线数据拟合结果符合Langmuir模型,表明emGA对MB的吸附属于单分子层吸附。Langmuir模型计算出emGA-2饱和吸附量为307.7mg/g,与实验值291.3mg/g较为接近。分析热力学参数发现,emGA吸附MB为自发吸热过程,且吸附过程属于物理吸附。     

氮在钌单晶表面Ru(0001)上的吸附

钌系氨合成催化剂作为第二代氨合成催化剂,近年来日益受到重视。研究氮分子在钌表面上的离解吸附对提高钌催化剂的催化性能有着十分重要的意义。综述了氮分子在Ru(0001)单晶表面吸附的研究进展，并指出钌催化剂的发展方向。     

IN-SITU FT-IR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF FUEL CELL ELECTRO-CATALYSIS: FROM SINGLE-CRYSTAL TO NANOPARTICLE SURFACES

The work presented in this article shows the power of the variable temperature, in-situ FT-IR spectroscopy system developed in Newcastle with respect to the investigation of fuel cell electro-catalysis. On the Ru(0001) electrode surface, CO co-adsorbs with the oxygen-containing adlayers to form mixed [CO + (2 × 2)-O(H)] domains. The electro-oxidation of the Ru(0001) surface leads to the formation of active (1 × 1)-O(H) domains, and the oxidation of adsorbed CO then takes place at the perimeter of these domains. At 20°C, the adsorbed CO is present as rather compact islands. In contrast, at 60°C, the CO_ads is present as a relatively looser and weaker adlayer. Higher temperature was also found to facilitate the surface diffusion and oxidation of CO_ads. No dissociation or electro-oxidation of methanol was observed at potentials below approximately 950 mV; however, the Ru(0001) surface at high anodic potentials was observed to be very active. On both Pt and PtRu nanoparticle surfaces, only one linear bond CO adsorbate was formed from methanol adsorption, and the PtRu surface significantly promoted both methanol dissociative adsorption to CO and its further oxidation to CO₂. Increasing temperature from 20° to 60°C significantly facilitates the methanol turnover to CO₂.     

活化氧化石墨烯的制备及对甲基橙的吸附

为了提高氧化石墨烯(GO)的比表面积和吸附性能,采用氢氧化钾对GO进行高温固相活化,制备出活化氧化石墨烯(GOKOH),并将其用于对水中阴离子染料甲基橙(MO)的吸附研究。结果表明,GOKOH的比表面积可达672.48 m2/g。GOKOH能在较宽的p H范围内实现对MO的高效去除,去除率高达94.87%,吸附平衡时间约为150 min。准一级和准二级动力学拟合的理论平衡吸附容量分别为549.87 mg/g和549.45 mg/g,Langmuir模型的饱和吸附容量为632.91 mg/g。该吸附过程受边界层扩散与颗粒内扩散两个步骤控制,符合二级动力学模型和Langmuir模型,并主要以化学吸附为主。     

Application of carbon nanostructures toward SO2 and SO3 adsorption: a comparison between pristine graphene and N-doped graphene by DFT calculations

We studied the adsorption of SO_x (x?=?2,3) molecules on the surface of pristine graphene (PG) and N-doped graphene (NDG) by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. We used Mulliken and NBO charge analysis to calculate the net charge transfer of adsorbed SO_x on pristine and defected graphene systems. Our calculations reveal much higher adsorption energy and higher net charge transfer by using NDG instead of pristine graphene. Furthermore, the density of state (DOS) graphs point to major orbital hybridization between the SO_x and NDG, while there is no evidence of hybridization by using pristine graphene. Based on our results, it is found that SO₂ and SO₃ molecules can be adsorbed on the surface of NDG physically and chemically with adsorption energies (E_ads) of ?27.5 and 65.2?kJ?mol^?1 (19.6 and 51.4?kJ?mol^?1 BSSE), respectively, while low adsorption energies were calculated in the case of using pristine graphene. So we introduced NDG as a sensitive adsorbent/sensor for detection of SO₂ and SO₃.     

Further insights into the Ru nanoparticles-carbon interactions and their role in the catalytic properties

Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and CO adsorption microcalorimetry along with the catalytic behaviour in the n-butane/H₂ test reaction were performed in order to determine the specific interactions of Ru nanoparticles supported on different carbon materials. Aspects such as the porous structure and surface chemistry (presence and elimination of surface oxygen functional groups) of the carbon material, or the effect of the metal precursor (e.g. presence of residual chlorine) on the final metal dispersion and on the surface structure of the Ru nanoparticles have been studied.The results obtained confirm that surface oxidation of the support along with the nature of the Ru precursor affects the distribution of the metal precursor over the support (and, consequently, the final ruthenium dispersion) and also the surface site distribution. Besides, elimination of the surface oxygen functional groups of the carbon material, during the reduction treatments of the fresh catalyst samples, leads to surface reconstructions on the Ru nanoparticles that seem to expose different crystallographic planes. The presence of residual chlorine leads to electron deficient Ru sites, and this modifies the CO chemisorption heats and affects the catalytic properties in the n-butane/hydrogen test.     

A Theoretical Investigation on the Anisotropic Surface Stability and Oxygen Adsorption Behavior of ZrB2

Surfaces play pivotal roles during the oxidation and interfacial bonding of ZrB₂. To understand the surface properties, the anisotropic stability and oxygen adsorption behavior of ZrB₂ surfaces, including (), two types of (0001) and three types of (), were investigated by first‐principles calculations. Using a series of two‐region models, the surface energies were calculated and the (0001) surfaces were found to be less stable than the prismatic ones. The hexagonal rod‐like ZrB₂ grain morphology was predicted during the crystal growth under equilibrium conditions. The adsorption energies, electronic structure, and bonding feature of the adsorbed surfaces were also investigated. The Zr‐terminated surfaces were predicted to be more favorable to adsorb oxygen, and the (0001) surfaces should have better oxidation resistance than other surfaces in the equilibrium ZrB₂ grains. The Zr‐terminated (0001) surface was also speculated to be stable in the oxygen‐rich environment.     

IN-SITU FT-IR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF FUEL CELL ELECTRO-CATALYSIS: FROM SINGLE-CRYSTAL TO NANOPARTICLE SURFACES

The work presented in this article shows the power of the variable temperature, in-situ FT-IR spectroscopy system developed in Newcastle with respect to the investigation of fuel cell electro-catalysis. On the Ru(0001) electrode surface, CO co-adsorbs with the oxygen-containing adlayers to form mixed [CO + (2 × 2)–O(H)] domains. The electro-oxidation of the Ru(0001) surface leads to the formation of active (1 × 1)–O(H) domains, and the oxidation of adsorbed CO then takes place at the perimeter of these domains. At 20°C, the adsorbed CO is present as rather compact islands. In contrast, at 60°C, the CO_ads is present as a relatively looser and weaker adlayer. Higher temperature was also found to facilitate the surface diffusion and oxidation of CO_ads. No dissociation or electro-oxidation of methanol was observed at potentials below approximately 950 mV; however, the Ru(0001) surface at high anodic potentials was observed to be very active. On both Pt and PtRu nanoparticle surfaces, only one linear bond CO adsorbate was formed from methanol adsorption, and the PtRu surface significantly promoted both methanol dissociative adsorption to CO and its further oxidation to CO₂. Increasing temperature from 20° to 60°C significantly facilitates the methanol turnover to CO₂.     

Study on liquid‐phase hydrogenation of paranitrotoluene over Ru‐based catalysts

This paper presented a study on the role of yttrium addition to Ru‐based catalysts for liquid phase paranitrotoluene hydrogenation reaction. An impregnation‐precipitation method was used for preparation of a series of yttrium doped Ru/NaY catalysts with yttrium content in the range of 0.0026–0.0052 g/g. Properties of the obtained samples were characterized and analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), H₂‐TPR, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ICP atomic emission spectroscopy, and Nitrogen adsorption‐desorption. The results revealed that catalytic activity of NaY supported Ru catalysts increased with the yttrium content at first, then decreased with the further increase of yttrium content. When yttrium content was 0.0033 g/g, a Ru‐Y/NaY² catalyst showed the most excellent performance of paranitrotoluene hydrogenation reaction (paranitrotoluene conversion and the selectivity toward P‐methyl‐cyclohexylamine reached 99.9 % and 82.5 %, respectively). In addition, to compare with the performance of Ru‐Y/NaY catalysts, the active carbon supported Ru catalysts were prepared using the same method in view of its higher surface area and adsorption capacity. Finally, the effect of solvent on the reaction over Ru‐Y/NaY² catalyst has been investigated, it was found that the best performance of paranitrotoluene hydrogenation reaction took place in protic solvents (isopropanol and ethanol). This was mainly ascribed to their polarity and hydrogen‐bond accepting capability.

     

MMAl在NH2与H混合覆盖的AlN(0001)-Al表面的吸附与扩散研究

利用量子化学的密度泛函理论(DFT),对AlN的MOCVD生长中表面反应前体AlCH₃(简称MMAl)在NH₂和H混合覆盖AlN(0001)-Al面的吸附与扩散进行计算分析。通过分析表面吸附能、扩散能垒及Mulliken数量比例等,确定可能的稳定吸附结构和扩散路径。研究发现：在NH₂与H混合覆盖的AlN(0001)-Al面,随着NH₂与H的覆盖度变化,MMAl均稳定吸附在T4位和H3位,吸附概率相近。随着NH₂比例增多、H比例减少,MMAl吸附后都向AlN表面转移电荷,同时其吸附变得相对容易,扩散变得逐渐困难。与吸附前相比,吸附后MMAl中的Al-C键长缩短,键能增强,不利于CH₃的脱离,导致引入C杂质的概率增高,表明MMAl既可能是生长中主要反应物质之一,同时也是引入C杂质的主要来源之一。若AlN表面存在覆盖H,吸附后的MMAl会促使表面覆盖的H原子倾向于脱离AlN表面,有利于后续生长。     

Monolayer graphene as ultimate chemical passivation layer for arbitrarily shaped metal surfaces

Monolayer graphene was grown on polycrystalline Ru thin films on patterned fused silica. The Ru films grow with columnar structure with strongly aligned grains exposing flat (0 0 0 1) surface facets within the 3D geometric patterns and on the adjacent planar silica surface. The monolayer graphene was found to completely and uniformly cover the Ru films on the complex engineered substrates. In addition, we demonstrate that the single atomic layer graphene protects the underlying metal surface against reaction with ambient gases of particular importance for applications such as concave focusing mirrors, non-planar microelectrode arrays, etc.