| AVS 55th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Surface Science | Tuesday Sessions |
| Session SS-TuP |
| Session: | Surface Science Poster Session |
| Presenter: | J.R. Croy, University of Central Florida |
| Authors: | J.R. Croy, University of Central Florida S. Mostafa, University of Central Florida L. Hickman, University of Central Florida H. Heinrich, University of Central Florida B. Roldan Cuenya, University of Central Florida |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Bimetallic Pt-Metal (Pt-M) catalysts are important in a wide range of applications including the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). In order to take full advantage of Pt/M systems in the design of new and efficient nanocatalysts, we must understand the structural, chemical, and electronic modifications brought about by the addition of the secondary metal M. We present here an investigation of the influence that the addition of secondary metals (M=Au, Pd, Ru, and Fe) has on the oxidation state, activity, and selectivity of ZrO2-supported Pt nanoparticles. We use as a probe reaction the decomposition of MeOH. Size-selected bimetallic Pt nanoparticles were obtained by diblock-copolymer encapsulation and deposited on nanocrystalline ZrO2 powder. The chemical composition of the particles was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and structural characterization was done by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The reactivity of the bimetallic systems for MeOH decomposition was monitored in a packed-bed mass flow reactor by mass spectrometry. Distinct atomic segregation trends were observed upon annealing these nanoparticles in an oxygen-rich environment. The affect these trends have on the oxidation state of Pt and how this state influences reactivity will be discussed.