From Colloidal Monodisperse Nickel Nanoparticles to Well-Defined Ni/Al2O3 Model Catalysts.

In the past few decades, advances in colloidal nanoparticle synthesis have created new possibilities for the preparation of supported model catalysts. However, effective removal of surfactants is a prerequisite to evaluate the catalytic properties of these catalysts in any reaction of interest. Here we report on the colloidal preparation of surfactant-free Ni/Al2O3 model catalysts. Monodisperse Ni nanoparticles (NPs) with mean particle size ranging from 4 to 9 nm were synthesized via thermal decomposition of a zerovalent precursor in the presence of oleic acid. Five weight percent Ni/Al2O3 catalysts were produced by direct deposition of the presynthesized NPs on an alumina support, followed by thermal activation (oxidation-reduction cycle) for complete surfactant removal and surface cleaning. Structural and morphological characteristics of the nanoscale catalysts are described in detail following the propagation of the bulk and surface Ni species at the different treatment stages. Powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction experiments as well as infrared spectroscopy of CO adsorption and magnetic measurements were conducted. The applied thermal treatments are proven to be fully adequate for complete surfactant removal while preserving the metal particle size and the size distribution at the level attained by the colloidal synthesis. Compared with standard impregnated Ni/Al2O3 catalysts, the current model materials display narrowed Ni particle size distributions and increased reducibility with a higher fraction of the metallic nickel atoms exposed at the catalyst surface.

Adsorption-driven surface segregation of the less reactive alloy component.

Counterintuitive to expectations and all prior observations of adsorbate-induced surface segregation of the more reactive alloy component (the one forming the stronger bond with the adsorbate), we show that CO adsorption at elevated pressures and temperatures pulls the less reactive Cu to the surface of a CuPt near-surface alloy. The Cu surface segregation is driven by the formation of a stable self-organized CO/CuPt surface alloy structure and is rationalized in terms of the radically stronger Pt-CO bond when Cu is present in the first surface layer of Pt. The results, which are expected to apply to a range of coinage (Cu, Ag)/Pt-group bimetallic surface alloys, open up new possibilities in selective and dynamical engineering of alloy surfaces for catalysis.