(116d) Modeling Pt/Sn/SnO2 Catalysts | AIChE

(116d) Modeling Pt/Sn/SnO2 Catalysts

Authors 

Deskins, N. A. - Presenter, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Teng, X., University of New Hampshire



Pt-Sn alloys have been used in a variety of catalytic reactions, including organic molecule oxidation (such as in fuel cells) or in hydrocarbon hydrogenation/dehydrogenation. Under reaction conditions however a synthesized alloy may change drastically. For instance segregation of Sn may occur or oxidation of Sn is possible leading to formation of SnOx. We have used density functional theory to model possible Pt-Sn catalyst surfaces, namely pure Pt , pure Sn, a Pt-Sn alloy, and the interface between Pt-SnO2. This latter interface was formed by modeling Pt nanorods over SnO2(110), similar to previous work that modeled Au nanorods over TiO2[1]. We present results on the oxygen reduction reaction and ethanol oxidation and highlight the differences between the various possible reaction systems under study. Our goal was to identify potential reaction sites on the various surfaces as well as reaction pathways. The nature of the Pt-SnO2 interface in particular is explained, including the degree of charge transfer, role of surface defects, and the reactivity of interfacial sites between the two materials.

[1] L M Molina, M D Rasmussen, and B Hammer. The Journal of Chemical Physics 120, no. 16, 2004, p. 7673–80.

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