Our studies have focused on the relationships between the atomic-scale structure and the chemistry of transition-metal oxides (TMOs). Experiments have demonstrated that ultra-thin layers of TMOs can be stabilized when interfaced with precious metal supports and that, in particular, Au-supported Co/Ni/Mn-based catalysts exhibit higher oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity than other metal supported oxide catalysts. We have recently investigated and explained the synergistic effects of the interface between the Au support and a Ce-doped NiO<sub>x</sub> catalyst.&lt;span style="font-size:10.8333px"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;In a close experiment-theory collaboration, we have linked a high H<sub>2</sub>O reactivity of ultra-thin Co-oxide nanoislands supported on Au(111) to a high edge reactivity of bilayer-structured nanoislands.&lt;span style="font-size:10.8333px"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;We have also, performed a comparative analysis of the stability of Co-oxide nanoislands on three noble metal surfaces, namely, the (111) surfaces of Au, Pt and Ag. We find that it should be possible to deconvolute the effects of coordination and dimensionality of the active site, doping, and support by careful design of the studied systems.

Structure, stability, and reactivity of nano-structured oxides supported on metals

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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