While many lamellar oxides can be exfoliated into single sheets and then restacked, a fundamental understanding of the interactions that occur during these processes is lacking. In order to elucidate these interactions, a thermodynamic study is being done by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). This work also extends to a study of the interactions between the sheets of lamellar oxides and metal nanoparticles. Metal nanoparticle catalysts are commonly supported on metal oxides but their stability is limited by coalescence which leads to a decrease in surface area and thus, catalytic activity. Catalytic systems of layered niobium oxides and rhodium nanoparticles have been developed which resist coalescence at increased temperatures. An understanding of the nanoparticle/support interactions (heats of adsorption, bond character, etc) is helping to design better catalysts. The interactions are being studied by ITC, EXAFS, and PDF.

Controlling the bonding at catalyst support interfaces: Studies of rhodium nanoparticles to niobate supports

244th National Meeting (2012)

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