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Model Systems in Catalysis pp 367–394Cite as

Catalysis by Thin Oxide Films and Oxide Nanoparticles

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Abstract

Model systems for transition and noble metal oxide catalysts, either as thin films or nanoparticles, were prepared by vacuum-deposition of oxides or oxidation of metals (particles, thin films, single crystals). These systems, including Ga2O3, In2O3, V2O3, V2O5, Nb2O5, Pd5O4 and PdO, are well suited for atomic scale characterization by surface-specific methods and for catalytic tests. Investigations of structure and composition were carried out by HRTEM, AFM, STM, SAED, LEED, EDX, XPS and DFT. In many cases, the surface structure of oxides does not coincide with truncations of the known bulk structures. The adsorption properties of the oxide models, in particular those of defects such as oxygen vacancies or step edges, were examined by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and SFG) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TPD) of probe molecules (CO, H2, propane and propene). Together with XPS, quantification of surface coverage was performed. The catalytic activity and selectivity of the model oxides at (near) ambient gas pressure were investigated by microreactor studies of methanol steam reforming (MSR), (inverse) water gas shift (WGS) and CO oxidation. The structural/compositional flexibility of oxides leads to significant challenges in their characterization but also imparts them with exceptional catalytic properties.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to those who contributed to the case studies discussed, in particular to A. Bandara, J. Bernardi, E. Bertel, M. Borasio, K. Föttinger, H.-J. Freund, K. Hayek, F. Höbel, W. Jochum, B. Kell, F. Klauser, B. Klötzer, R. Kramer, X. Liu, H. Lorenz, R. Schlögl, M. Stöger-Pollach and Ch. Weilach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Materials Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria

    Günther Rupprechter

  2. Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52a, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Simon Penner

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  1. Günther Rupprechter
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  2. Simon Penner
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Correspondence to Simon Penner .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802-4400, U.S.A.

    Robert Rioux

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Rupprechter, G., Penner, S. (2010). Catalysis by Thin Oxide Films and Oxide Nanoparticles. In: Rioux, R. (eds) Model Systems in Catalysis. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-98049-2_17

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