| AVS 54th International Symposium | |
| Surface Science | Monday Sessions |
| Session SS1-MoM |
| Session: | Catalysis on Clusters and Nanoparticles |
| Presenter: | K.M. Bratlie, University of California, Berkeley |
| Authors: | K.M. Bratlie, University of California, Berkeley H. Lee, University of California, Berkeley P. Yang, University of California, Berkeley K. Komvopoulos, University of California, Berkeley G.A. Somorjai, University of California, Berkeley |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Our goal is to understand the behavior of real catalyst systems on a molecular level. To accomplish this task, a model system of capped platinum nanoparticles on a silica substrate is used. The nanoparticles exhibit a narrow size distribution and well defined shape. We were able to monitor two different shapes: cubes, comprised of {100} facets, and cuboctahedra, made of {111} and {100} facets. We were also able to investigate the influence of the capping agent on the catalytic activity of the particles. Kinetic studies of benzene hydrogenation on platinum nanoparticles over a range of temperatures (310 - 400 K) were used to relate nanoparticles to single crystals. In this manner, we uncovered implications for reaction mechanisms nanoparticle surfaces identical to analogous single crystal faces.