CO oxidation is studied under ambient pressure between 300 K to 575 K on inverse model catalysts made of Fe2O3 nanoclusters grown on Au(111) single crystal. The addition of Fe2O3 nanoclusters transformed the inert Au(111) single crystal into an active catalyst for CO oxidation. The catalytic activity increases with iron oxide coverage initially, and then decreases when the iron oxide coverage is above 0.5 monolayers. The sample becomes inactive when the iron oxide particles form a continuous film on Au(111). These experimental results strongly suggest that the active sites for CO oxidation are located at the iron oxide/gold interface. A possible mechanism is proposed and tested using kinetics measurements. We also discuss the effect of water on the reaction rate of CO oxidation.

CO oxidation on inverse Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Au(111) model catalysts

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

CO oxidation on inverse Fe2O3/Au(111) model catalysts

CO oxidation on inverse Fe₂O₃/Au(111) model catalysts