Nanocatalysis II: In Situ Surface Probes of Nano-Catalysts and Correlative Structure–Reactivity Studies

Model nano-catalysts with monodisperse particle sizes and architectures are essential for a fundamental understanding of surface property dynamics during catalytic reactions. Surface tools and techniques, when conducted under catalytically relevant temperature and pressure conditions, render possible measurements of dynamic surface properties such as oxidation state, composition, coordination, and bonding. Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy with purposely built in situ reaction cells and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) provide (near) surface sensitive and chemical specific information on the oxidation states of metal and oxide (co-)catalysts as well as adsorbent functional elements such C, O and N under reactive gas atmospheres and even liquid environments. Likewise, sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy with in situ reaction cells helps uncover the bonding geometry and configuration of the topmost surface again under conditions pertinent to catalysis. Furthermore, the local dynamics in the nanoscale and on the single particle level are revealed by environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) and the spectro-microscopy techniques equipped within. A correlative approach, where an array of these in situ tools and techniques were conducted in parallel with catalytic measurements, was employed to gain molecular insight into some of the modern scientific challenges in heterogeneous catalysis. Several case examples of this correlative approach are presented here. The CO oxidation reaction over hybrid nano-catalysts of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with various mesoporous metal oxides such as Co3O4, MnO2 and CeO2 was explored in relation to bifunctional catalysis and interfacial charge transfer chemistry by using in situ NEXAFS spectroscopy. Likewise, bimetallic CoPt and PtSn nanoparticle catalysts supported on silica were investigated by using a combination of in situ NEXAFS spectroscopy and APXPS. Next, CO2 hydrogenation was carried out over bimetallic CoPt/SiO2 and Co/TiO2 hybrid nano-catalysts. In this case, in situ NEXAFS spectroscopy, APXPS, and ETEM indicated severe, yet reversible, surface restructuring that involved hydrogen atom spillover. Finally, ~2 nm Pt NPs were investigated using in situ SFG to study hydrogenation and hydrogenative isomerization reactions. Specifically, SFG indicated that the hydrogenation of furfural and crotonaldehyde proceed by interfacial hydrogen atom spillover from TiO2, while the hydrogenative isomerization of methylcyclopentane (MCP) proceeds by spillover and surface diffusion of cyclohexene over mesoporous zeolites. These studies unequivocally indicated the presence of a particular reaction channel that involved one way flow of charged (i.e. electrons or protons) or neutral species (i.e. reactants) at a broadly defined interface between metals and oxides. In addition to these case studies, experimental approaches employing capillary flow micro-reactors are discussed in relation toward the goal of short time resolutions that could help isolate such charged or neutral intermediates in the future.