Atomistic Quantum Plasmonics of Gold Nanowire Arrays

The dielectric properties of a regular 2D array of Au nanowires are investigated using time-dependent density-functional theory employing a fully atomistic quantum description. Longitudinal modes produce a Drude-like peak in the infrared that is rather insensitive to geometrical parameters. Transverse modes, instead, give rise to a plasmonic peak in the optical region, which exhibits a nontrivial dependence on the spatial separation between the wires: a strong resonant enhancement and a shift from the optical to the far-infrared region is observed as the interwire distance is decreased, with the formation of "hot spots" in which induced field and charge distributions exhibit nondipolar shape and rapidly alternating quantum phase. The general character of this phenomenon is confirmed by its occurrence in Au nanoparticle arrays. Addition of ligand species in the hot spot region can lead to the appearance of new resonances due to strong coupling between plasmonic and molecular modes, as exemplified in a proof-of-concept case. This shows the possibilities of atomistic quantum plasmonics effects and subwavelength control of electromagnetic field intensity in properly engineered nanogaps

The atomistic origin of the extraordinary oxygen reduction activity of Pt_3Ni_7 fuel cell catalysts

Recently Debe et al. reported that Pt_3Ni_7 leads to extraordinary Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) activity. However, several reports show that hardly any Ni remains in the layers of the catalysts close to the surface (“Pt-skin effect”). This paradox that Ni is essential to the high catalytic activity with the peak ORR activity at Pt_3Ni_7 while little or no Ni remains close to the surface is explained here using large-scale first-principles-based simulations. We make the radical assumption that processing Pt–Ni catalysts under ORR conditions would leach out all Ni accessible to the solvent. To simulate this process we use the ReaxFF reactive force field, starting with random alloy particles ranging from 50% Ni to 90% Ni and containing up to ~300 000 atoms, deleting the Ni atoms, and equilibrating the resulting structures. We find that the Pt_3Ni_7 case and a final particle radius around 7.5 nm lead to internal voids in communication with the exterior, doubling the external surface footprint, in fair agreement with experiment. Then we examine the surface character of these nanoporous systems and find that a prominent feature in the surface of the de-alloyed particles is a rhombic structure involving 4 surface atoms which is crystalline-like but under-coordinated. Using density-functional theory, we calculate the energy barriers of ORR steps on Pt nanoporous catalysts, focusing on the O_(ad)-hydration reaction (O_(ad) + H_2O_(ad) → OH_(ad) + OH_(ad)) but including the barriers of O_2 dissociation (O_(2ad) → O_(ad) + O_(ad)) and water formation (OH_(ad) + H_(ad) → H_2O_(ad)). We find that the reaction barrier for the O_(ad)-hydration rate-determining-step is reduced significantly on the de-alloyed surface sites compared to Pt(111). Moreover we find that these active sites are prevalent on the surface of particles de-alloyed from a Pt–Ni 30 : 70 initial composition. These simulations explain the peak in surface reactivity at Pt_3Ni_7, and provide a rational guide to use for further optimization of improved catalytic and nanoporous materials

Ambient-pressure CVD of graphene on low-index Ni surfaces using methane: A combined experimental and first-principles study

The growth of large area single-layer graphene (1-LG) is studied using ambient pressure chemical vapor deposition on single-crystal Ni(111), Ni(110), and Ni(100). By varying both the furnace temperature in the range of 800–1100 °C and the gas flow through the growth chamber, uniform, high-quality 1-LG is obtained for Ni(111) and Ni(110) single crystals and for Ni(100) thin films. Surprisingly, only multilayer graphene growth could be obtained for single-crystal Ni(100). The experimental results are analyzed to determine the optimum combination of temperature and gas flow. Characterization with optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and optical transmission support our findings. Density-functional theory calculations are performed to determine the energy barriers for diffusion, segregation, and adsorption, and model the kinetic pathways for formation of different carbon structures on the low-index surfaces of Ni.United States. Department of Energy. Office of Basic Energy Sciences (Award DE-SC0001088

The quantum mechanics derived atomistic mechanism underlying the acceleration of catalytic CO oxidation on Pt(110) by surface acoustic waves

Experimental evidence that surface acoustic waves (SAW) can significantly enhance the rate of catalytic oxidation of CO to CO_2 over the Pt(110) catalyst surface [S. Kelling et al., Faraday Disc., 1997, 107, 435–444] is examined using quantum mechanics (QM) simulations. First we determined the QM based mechanism for the O_2-rich régime of the reaction, and the energy landscape of CO interacting with an O-covered reconstructed Pt(110) surface at both static and dynamic levels, but in the absence of SAW. We then utilized ab initio molecular dynamic (AIMD) simulations to determine how SAW might modify the kinetics. We focus here on the short (picosecond time scale) shock spikes induced by switching of domains in the piezoelectric driver on which the catalyst is deposited. We find that SAW-induced spikes promote dynamic changes in the diffusion and desorption, from which we estimate the influence of SAW on CO oxidation rate over Pt(110). We find good agreement with the experimentally observed catalytic enhancement by SAW. With an atomistic mechanism in place one can now consider how to use SAW to enhance other catalytic reactions

The quantum mechanics derived atomistic mechanism underlying the acceleration of catalytic CO oxidation on Pt(110) by surface acoustic waves

Experimental evidence that surface acoustic waves (SAW) can significantly enhance the rate of catalytic oxidation of CO to CO_2 over the Pt(110) catalyst surface [S. Kelling et al., Faraday Disc., 1997, 107, 435–444] is examined using quantum mechanics (QM) simulations. First we determined the QM based mechanism for the O_2-rich régime of the reaction, and the energy landscape of CO interacting with an O-covered reconstructed Pt(110) surface at both static and dynamic levels, but in the absence of SAW. We then utilized ab initio molecular dynamic (AIMD) simulations to determine how SAW might modify the kinetics. We focus here on the short (picosecond time scale) shock spikes induced by switching of domains in the piezoelectric driver on which the catalyst is deposited. We find that SAW-induced spikes promote dynamic changes in the diffusion and desorption, from which we estimate the influence of SAW on CO oxidation rate over Pt(110). We find good agreement with the experimentally observed catalytic enhancement by SAW. With an atomistic mechanism in place one can now consider how to use SAW to enhance other catalytic reactions

Ordered Arrays of Size-Selected Oxide Nanoparticles

A bottom-up approach to produce a long-range ordered superlattice of monodisperse and isomorphic metal-oxide nanoparticles (NP) supported onto an oxide substrate is demonstrated. The synthetic strategy consists of self-assembling metallic NP on an ultrathin nanopatterned aluminum oxide template followed by a morphology-conserving oxidation process, and is exemplified in the case of Ni, but is generally applicable to a wide range of metallic systems. Both fully oxidized and core-shell metal-metal-oxide particles are synthesized, up to 3-4 nm in diameter, and characterized via spectroscopic and theoretical tools. This opens up a new avenue for probing unit and ensemble effects on the properties of oxide materials in the nanoscale regime

Bimetallic Ag-Pt Sub-nanometer Supported Clusters as Highly Efficient and Robust Oxidation Catalysts

A combined experimental and theoretical investigation of Ag-Pt sub-nanometer clusters as heterogeneous catalysts in the CO→CO_2 reaction (COox) is presented. Ag_9Pt_2 and Ag_9Pt_3 clusters are size-selected in the gas phase, deposited on an ultrathin amorphous alumina support, and tested as catalysts experimentally under realistic conditions and by first-principles simulations at realistic coverage. In situ GISAXS/TPRx demonstrates that the clusters do not sinter or deactivate even after prolonged exposure to reactants at high temperature, and present comparable, extremely high COox catalytic efficiency. Such high activity and stability are ascribed to a synergic role of Ag and Pt in ultranano-aggregates, in which Pt anchors the clusters to the support and binds and activates two CO molecules, while Ag binds and activates O_2, and Ag/Pt surface proximity disfavors poisoning by CO or oxidized species

Bimetallic Ag-Pt Sub-nanometer Supported Clusters as Highly Efficient and Robust Oxidation Catalysts

A combined experimental and theoretical investigation of Ag-Pt sub-nanometer clusters as heterogeneous catalysts in the CO→CO_2 reaction (COox) is presented. Ag_9Pt_2 and Ag_9Pt_3 clusters are size-selected in the gas phase, deposited on an ultrathin amorphous alumina support, and tested as catalysts experimentally under realistic conditions and by first-principles simulations at realistic coverage. In situ GISAXS/TPRx demonstrates that the clusters do not sinter or deactivate even after prolonged exposure to reactants at high temperature, and present comparable, extremely high COox catalytic efficiency. Such high activity and stability are ascribed to a synergic role of Ag and Pt in ultranano-aggregates, in which Pt anchors the clusters to the support and binds and activates two CO molecules, while Ag binds and activates O_2, and Ag/Pt surface proximity disfavors poisoning by CO or oxidized species