Nanoscale Metal Oxides with (111) Surfaces as Catalysts and Catalyst Supports for Energy and Fuels

摘要

Metal oxides can take a variety of structures, morphologies, and metal to oxygen ratios, all of which can affect their catalytic properties. Specifically, in heterogeneous catalysis, materials have shown different catalytic properties based on their primary exposed facet(s). The rock-salt metal oxides (MgO, CaO, NiO, CoO, MnO, SrO and EuO) are extensively used as catalysts and catalyst supports. Current preparations have demonstrated differences in the morphology of MgO and NiO systems, however they possess the (100) facet as their primary surface. For rock-salt type metal oxides, the (100) surface is comprised of alternating metal cations and oxygen anions while the (111) surface is comprised of alternating layers of anions and cations. Theoretical and surface science studies have demonstrated the exciting potential of (111) faceted rock salt structure materials (particularly MgO and NiO) [1-3].