| AVS 55th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Surface Science | Wednesday Sessions |
| Session SS2+NC-WeM |
| Session: | Functional Metal Oxides and Quantum Metal Structures |
| Presenter: | R.G. Green, University of Ottawa, Canada |
| Authors: | R.G. Green, University of Ottawa, Canada J.B. Giorgi, University of Ottawa, Canada |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Solid oxide fuels cells (SOFC’s) convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy through a reaction involving the oxidation of fuels, such as hydrogen or natural gas. The oxidation reaction occurs at the anode which is typically composed of a nickel-yttria-stabalized-zirconia (Ni-YSZ) cermet. This composition provides the active triple phase boundary where gas (fuel), the active catalyst (metal) and the oxide ion provider (YSZ) meet. We will discuss a model system of this complex catalyst which has been studied under ultrahigh vacuum. To create this model, we deposit an active transition metal (Pd, Ni, Co) in the form of nano-particles onto single crystal YSZ (100). The defective YSZ surface offers a range of meta-stable nanostructures that can interact with the metal component. Additionally, the surface shows high reactivity toward carbon at high temperature. These properties add difficulty and complexity to the model systems. Results of catalytic activity toward methane as a function of metal composition and particle size will be discussed. The catalysts have been studied in-situ using photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, as well as thermal desorption spectroscopy and reaction techniques.