The influence of surface termination on growth of cupper clusters

, ,
,

Keywords: , , ,

Oxide supported transition metal catalysts are widely used in variety of heterogeneous catalytic processes. Knowledge of the interaction of metals with oxide surfaces provides insight into understanding a broad variety of properties of the catalysts. However, relatively little is known about the interfaces due to lack of experimental evidence. In our work, the interaction between cupper clusters and -alumina (0001) surface were studied using density functional theory. We report the most energetically preferred structures and adsorption sites for Cu clusters on the aluminum-terminated -alumina surface which is demonstrated as the most stable (0001) surface.[2] Little effort has been made to investigate the environmental effect on the adsorption of Cu clusters on the -alumina (0001) surface. We examined adsorption of Cu clusters on fully hydroxylated -alumina surface and compared the results with that of the “dry” surface. The Cu-alumina system may serve as a prototype interface to help us establish knowledge on growth pathway of supported metal clusters.

PDF of paper:


Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2010: Bio Sensors, Instruments, Medical, Environment and Energy
Published: June 21, 2010
Pages: 642 - 645
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Energy & Sustainability
Topics: Materials for Oil & Gas, Water Technologies
ISBN: 978-1-4398-3415-2