| AVS 55th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Surface Science | Wednesday Sessions |
| Session SS2+NC-WeM |
| Session: | Functional Metal Oxides and Quantum Metal Structures |
| Presenter: | R.G. Quiller, Harvard University |
| Authors: | R.G. Quiller, Harvard University L. Benz, Harvard University T.A. Baker, Harvard University M.E. Colling, Harvard University C.M. Friend, Harvard University |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Understanding the effect of hydrating or hydroxylating a surface is an important aspect of interfacial chemistry. Intermolecular interactions including hydrogen bonding between water, hydroxyl groups, and oxide species play a crucial role in determining products and reaction rates in a range of heterogeneous reactions. Using surface science techniques such as temperature-programmed reaction and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, we studied the effects of such interactions on a number of catalytically and environmentally relevant systems on both Au and TiO2 single crystal surfaces. We found that in addition to changes induced by water-related interactions, defects and surface ordering also played an important role in surface reactivity. Our results, therefore, emphasize the role of surface preparation and water coverage. These results help determine the role of intermolecular interactions on gas-oxide reactions and have implications in heterogeneous catalysis and environmental chemistry.