Direct Atomic-Scale Observation of Redox-Induced Cation Dynamics in an Oxide-Supported Monolayer Catalyst: WOx/alpha-Fe2O3(0001)

作者:Feng Zhenxing; Kim Chang Yong; Elam Jeffrey W; Ma Qing; Zhang Zhan; Bedzyk Michael J*
来源:Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2009, 131(51): 18200-+.
DOI:10.1021/ja906816y

摘要

For the case of one-third of a monolayer of tungsten grown by atomic layer deposition on a hematite alpha-Fe2O3(0001) surface, we report direct atomic-scale observations of the structural and chemical changes that occur as this model interfacial system evolves from the as-deposited state to the oxidized state, then to the reduced state, and finally back to the oxidized state. In situ X-ray standing-wave atomic images relative to the hematite lattice show dramatic (but redox-reversible) changes to the W cation locations with respect to the occupied and unoccupied Fe surface sites. These structural changes are concurrent with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy chemical shift changes, where W is observed to go from the 6+ to 5+ oxidation state. These novel observations of redox-induced cation dynamics in an oxide-supported catalyst are explained by models that account for W incorporation at the interface in Fe sites with various coordination schemes. Our proposed structure models are supported by our X-ray absorption fine structure measurements.