In general, the properties of thin oxide films, different from bulk materials, converge towards properties similar to the bulk material already for a surprisingly small number of atomic layers. Such oxide thin films are used to model supports in heterogeneous catalysis, and carry nanoparticles as active components, both as metal particles and transition metal oxide particles. However, oxide films of only very few layers thickness may also be designed as catalytic materials in their own right.We have prepared a variety of thin films, including those of importance as supports in heterogeneous catalysis, i. e. alumina, silica, magnesia, ceria, vanadia, chromia, and niobia etc.Those materials are characterized at the atomic level including infrared spectroscopy and other relevant techniques such as scanning tunnelling microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance. We will discuss supported Au nanoparticles in particular.In our group, silica thin film systems have been investigated during the last decade and more. The goal was to use such films as model supports. Monolayer and Bilayer silica films have been successfully prepared. In fact, the bilayer SiO2 film could be imaged in both, crystalline and amorphous phase. The phase transmission is being studied.Moreover, it has been possible to incorporate aluminium into the film leading to the formation of two-dimensional alumosilicates, i.e. zeolites with �infinite cavities�. The incorporation of aluminium into the bilayer film follows L�wenstein's rule and we demonstrate the formation of bridging OH groups with high acidity. Experimental evidence using STM, FTIR, and XPS are given. This study paves the way for studies in surface science of zeolite surfaces.

From supported nanoparticles on thin oxide films to thin glass and thin zeolites

247th National Meeting (2014)

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