The electronic properties of Ni and Pt nanoparticles deposited on CeO2 have been examined using core and valence photoemission. The results of valence photoemission point to a new type of metal-support interaction which produces large electronic perturbations for small Ni and Pt particles in contact with ceria. The Ni/CeO2 and Pt/CeO2 systems exhibited a density of metal d states near the Fermi level that was much smaller than that expected for bulk metallic Ni or Pt. The large electronic perturbations seen for small Ni and Pt particles in contact with ceria significantly enhanced the ability of the admetal to adsorb and dissociate methane and CO2. Ni/CeO2 and Pt/CeO2 were able to activate methane at room temperature and were excellent catalysts for methane dry reforming or the conversion of methane into methanol. The behaviour seen for the Ni/CeO2 and Pt/CeO2 systems illustrates the positive effects derived from electronic metal-support interactions and points to a promising approach for improving or optimizing the performance of metal/oxide catalysts in C1 catalysis.

Fundamental studies on novel metal/oxide systems for C1 catalysis

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.