Irreversibly adsorbed Bi at Pt single crystal electrodes leads to structure sensitive surface redox reactions. The use of such reaction enables the characterization of different types of site at the surface of polycrystalline platinum materials, including nanoparticles. In this way, Bi adsorbed at full coverage can be used as a probe surface reaction. On the other hand, irreversible adsorbed Bi enhances the reactivity of platinum for different reactions, particularly HCOOH oxidation. It is interesting to remark that the enhancement mechanism is different on the different platinum substrates used, in some cases electronic effects are envisaged while in other cases simple three body effects are observed. In the case of HCOOH the catalytic effects are observed when Bi is at the reduced state, so no bifunctional mechanisms are required. However, for adsorbed CO oxidation it is convenient that the adatom oxidizes at low potentials, thus the reaction is catalyzed at Pt(111) but not at Pt(100). Comparisons with other adatoms enable understanding reactivity as well as model calculations. Well defined substrates enable to control the experimental conditions in a great extent.<br/>

Bi adatoms at the surface of Pt single crystals

249th National Meeting (2015)

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