It is well-known that atomic surface structures of the metals and supports are crucial in catalysis. For the commonly used catalytic supports, their surface structures are mainly characterized on the extended surface of single crystals; direct atomic surface studies on the nanoscale oxide supports are very rear. To help understand catalysis and improve catalyst design, we first use different approaches to synthesized SrTiO3 nanocuboids with well-defined surfaces. Using high-resolution electron microscope as a surface characterization tool, we successfully controlled the atomic surface structures of the SrTiO3 nanocuboids, which can be SrO, TiO2 and double-layer TiO2 surface reconstructions. The different atomic surface structures directly impact on the shape of Pt nanoparticles grown on them through the Winterbottom effect. As a result, the Pt nanoparticles expose facets, edges, and corners in different ratios for the supports with different atomic surface structures. The catalytic properties are then altered by these ratios.

Controlling atomic surface structures of nanocrystals

245th National Meeting (2013)

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