Catalytic reactivity and electronic structure across continuous Cu_xPd_(1-x) and Cu_xAu_yPd_(1-x-y) composition space

摘要

Optimization of multicomponent catalysts is traditionally performed by sequential study of a series of single-composition materials. Understanding performance trends across broad composition space with reasonable composition resolution can require preparation and characterization of a large number of samples. To accelerate discovery and optimization of complex catalytic materials, we have developed a suite of high-throughput (HT) tools and methodologies that enable rapid exploration of composition and structure space. We developed physical vapor deposition (PVD)-based methods for preparation of Composition Spread Alloy Film (CSAF) libraries of model catalysts (1, 2). Shown in Figure 1, CSAFs are thin (～100 nm in our work) alloy films with continuously variable lateral composition. We devised complementary strategies for spatially resolved characterization of CSAF surface composition, microstructure, and electronic structure. A unique multichannel microreactor array, which we designed and developed, enables parallel, spatially resolved measurements of CSAF surface reactivity (3). In this work, we describe our preparation of Cu_xPd_(1-x) and Cu_xAu_yPd_(1-x-y) CSAF libraries, and characterization of their electronic structures and activities for H2-D2 exchange.