The metal-oxide interface is critical to many types of catalysis including fuel cell catalysis, photocatalysis and heterogeneous catalysis. Late transition metal nanoparticles supported on oxides are used in heterogeneous catalysis. A major limitation of these systems is the coalescence of nanoparticles at reaction temperatures. Here, we report a study of rhodium and rhodium oxide nanoparticles which distribute as less than one nanometer diameter particles on early transition metal oxide supports. For the first time, the heat of bonding between metal oxide nanoparticles and the oxide support is quantified under solution conditions, by using isothermal titration calorimetry. The growth of the nanoparticles was investigated in situ using an environmental transition electron microscope in various atmospheres. Synchrotron x-ray absorption techniques were used to further characterize the metal/oxide interface. These probes support the hypothesis that exothermic binding of particles to support surfaces result in nanoparticle stability at elevated temperatures.

Understanding the interface and stabilization of late transition metal nanoparticles to early transition metal oxide supports

248th National Meeting (2014)

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