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A eletro-oxidação de metanol foi estudada em eletrodos de platina monocristalina de índices de Miller (100) e (111) modificados superficialmente com metais cobre e estanho nas condições de UPD (Underpotential Deposition) e OPD (Overpotential Deposition). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em EDRMP (Eletrodo de Disco Rotatório com Menisco Pendente) em conjunto com as técnicas eletroquímicas. Os depósitos de cobre foram realizados em condições de UPD e OPD enquanto que estanho em OPD, dada as limitações de rearranjo estrutural da superfície cristalográfica do eletrodo. As análises dos resultados indicaram que o grau de recobrimento dos metais sobre o suporte é menor que uma monocamada, cerca de 10% desta. Tais resultados comparados com a literatura indicam a formação de aglomerados, ilhas, em estruturas bi e tridimensionais no caso do cobre. Em estanho foi atingido maior grau de recobrimento. No entanto, comparando os resultados para estanho com o da literatura, este não se depositou na forma de adátomos, mas como hidróxido ou sulfato. Esta forma de interação do estanho com a platina é a responsável pela diminuição do potencial de oxidação do metanol sobre o substrato. Na eletro-oxidação do metanol os melhores resultados foram obtidos na presença de estanho, no entanto ressalta-se que neste caso a influência da rotação não foi significante e as medidas de cronoamperometria indicaram melhor atividade nesta situação com o eletrodo modificado. / Methanol oxidation reaction was studied with copper and tin modified single-crystal electrodes. This study was carried out using UPD and OPD techniques using the EDRMP configurations the results showed that the coverage degree of copper and tin on platinum single-crystal as less than one monolayer (_ 10% monolayer) and possible with the formation of islands in bi and tridimenision. The deposition of copper was not good to the methanol oxidation reaction, possible due to a higher solvatation by anions at the Cu sites, conducting to a blocking effect on the Pt neighboring atoms. The tin deposition have shown a higher activity for methanol oxidation reaction. This ascribed to the hydroxides formation at tin sites, which increase the kinetics of CO oxidation following the bifunctional mechanism.

A eletro-oxidação de metanol foi estudada em eletrodos de platina monocristalina de índices de Miller (100) e (111) modificados superficialmente com metais cobre e estanho nas condições de UPD (Underpotential Deposition) e OPD (Overpotential Deposition). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em EDRMP (Eletrodo de Disco Rotatório com Menisco Pendente) em conjunto com as técnicas eletroquímicas. Os depósitos de cobre foram realizados em condições de UPD e OPD enquanto que estanho em OPD, dada as limitações de rearranjo estrutural da superfície cristalográfica do eletrodo. As análises dos resultados indicaram que o grau de recobrimento dos metais sobre o suporte é menor que uma monocamada, cerca de 10% desta. Tais resultados comparados com a literatura indicam a formação de aglomerados, ilhas, em estruturas bi e tridimensionais no caso do cobre. Em estanho foi atingido maior grau de recobrimento. No entanto, comparando os resultados para estanho com o da literatura, este não se depositou na forma de adátomos, mas como hidróxido ou sulfato. Esta forma de interação do estanho com a platina é a responsável pela diminuição do potencial de oxidação do metanol sobre o substrato. Na eletro-oxidação do metanol os melhores resultados foram obtidos na presença de estanho, no entanto ressalta-se que neste caso a influência da rotação não foi significante e as medidas de cronoamperometria indicaram melhor atividade nesta situação com o eletrodo modificado. / Methanol oxidation reaction was studied with copper and tin modified single-crystal electrodes. This study was carried out using UPD and OPD techniques using the EDRMP configurations the results showed that the coverage degree of copper and tin on platinum single-crystal as less than one monolayer (_ 10% monolayer) and possible with the formation of islands in bi and tridimenision. The deposition of copper was not good to the methanol oxidation reaction, possible due to a higher solvatation by anions at the Cu sites, conducting to a blocking effect on the Pt neighboring atoms. The tin deposition have shown a higher activity for methanol oxidation reaction. This ascribed to the hydroxides formation at tin sites, which increase the kinetics of CO oxidation following the bifunctional mechanism.

Cette thèse porte sur la modélisation multi-échelle des réactions en catalyse hétérogène de polyols sur une surface de platine 111, en phase aqueuse. Ce travail s’inscrit dans l’utilisation de la biomasse lignocellulosique. Les réseaux réactionnels issus du traitement de cette matière première sont très grands en taille, et en complexité. D’autre part, la nature même des molécules la composant impose une chimie en phase aqueuse. Il n’est donc pas possible de cartographier l’ensemble des ces chemins réactionnels avec des méthodes de calcul ab initio, tant les conditions aqueuses et le grand nombre de simulations que cela impliquerai demanderaient d’effort computationnel. Le changement d’échelle de simulation peut répondre à ce problème. Nous avons ainsi développé un modèle d’additivité par groupes permettant la prédiction des propriétés thermodynamiques de réactions de polyols sur platine 111 en phase aqueuse, à partir de la seule structure topologique des réactifs. Ce modèle a été construit sur un jeu de données issus de calculs en théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité. Nous avons également étudié la cinétique de réactions de mêmes types, afin d’en prédire l’énergie d’activation à partir de leur thermodynamique. En parallèle, nous avons décrit l’influence de la micro-solvatation par rapport à un modèle de solvant implicite sur la réactivité d’alcools sur platine 111, ce qui couplé avec le modèle d’additivité par groupe permettra des simulations micro cinétiques complètes. Enfin, la réactivité des isomères du butanediol a été traitée afin de comprendre l’influence de l’espacement des fonctions alcools sur la réactivité d’un polyol. / This thesis focuses on multi scale simulations heterogeneous catalysis reactions of polyols on platinum (111) in aqueous phase. This work is about lignocellulosic biomass valorisation. The reaction networks raising from these materials are extremely large and complex. Also, the properties of the molecules forming this biomass make aqueous conditions mandatory. Ab initio methods as we know them forbids us to treat entire networks at the finest calculation level, the computational cost would be way beyond feasibility. Changing the simulation scale can tackle this problem. Thus, we developed a group additivity model assessing for thermochemical properties of polyols at a platinum (111) surface under aqueous conditions, with a topology as the only input. This model was built upon a density functional theory set. Kinetics of reactions was also covered, and the difference in terms of impact was investigated between implicit and explicit micro solvation models, in order to predict reaction barriers. The two models might be used together in order to feed a micro kinetic simulation, allowing a drastic decrease of reaction networks complexity. Finally, the influence on reactivity and selectivity, of hydroxyl groups on butanediol isomers was investigated.

L’abandon progressif des ressources fossiles s’accompagne de l’exploitation croissante de la biomasse. Cette transition nécessite de développer de nouveaux procédés notamment en catalyse hétérogène. Les chimistes se heurtent alors à deux défis majeurs : (i) désoxygéner la biomasse (cellulose/lignine) pour revenir à la chimie maîtrisée des grands intermédiaires (ii) rendre les catalyseurs résistants à l’eau, omniprésente en biomasse. En collaboration avec des expérimentateurs de l’Université d’Ottawa, nous nous sommes d’abord intéressés à la désoxygénation d’aromatiques de type lignine. Les calculs ab initio (DFT) nous ont permis de dresser les caractéristiques d’adsorption de ces composés sur Pt(111) en termes de descripteurs moléculaires simples. Nous avons ensuite étudié le mécanisme de décomposition de l’anisole et du 2-phénoxyéthanol, molécules modèles. Nos études ont montré l’importance de l’hydrogène et des fragments carbonés sur la réaction de désoxygéna6on de ces composés. En parallèle nous nous sommes intéressés à la stabilité, dans l’eau, d’un des supports catalytiques majeurs : l’alumine-γ. Ce sujet clé pose des défis considérables en modélisation, puisqu’il nécessite d’utiliser des méthodes de dynamiques moléculaires ab initio. Celles-ci nous ont permis de caractériser la structuration de l’eau au contact de l’alumine et l’importance de la solvatation sur les aluminols de surface. À l’aide de méthodes d’événements rares (dynamique contrainte, métadynamique) nous avons enfin abordé la réactivité d’alcools et de l’eau avec l’alumine hydratée. Ces simulations ont permis d’identifier les premières étapes d’hydratation et de mieux comprendre comment les limiter. / Moving away from fossil ressources is currently being accompanied by the increasing exploitation of biomass.This shift requires the development of new processes, in particular in heterogeneous catalysis. Chemists are nowfacing two major challenges: (i) deoxygenate biomass (cellulose/lignin) to produce platform intermediates with aeel-known chemistry (ii) make catalysts resistant to water, ubiquitous within the context of biomass.Within a collaboration with experimentalists at the University of Ottawa, we have first studied the deoxygenationof lignin-like aromatics. From an ab initio (DFT) inspection, we have characterized and described the adsorptionof such aromatic oxygenates on Pt(111) with simple molecular descriptors. We have then investigated thedecomposition mechanism of anisole and 2-phenoxyethanol. For these two model compounds, we have showedthe significance of hydrogen and carbonaceous species to have the deoxygenation reaction proceed properly.Meanwhile, we have examined the stability, in water, of γ-alumina, a major support in heterogeneous catalysis.The necessity to perform ab initio molecular dynamics simulations makes the modeling of such a systemparticularly challenging computationally. The simulations have nevertheless enabled us to characterize thestructuration of liquid water in contact with alumina and the significance of solvation on surface aluminol groups.Using rare-event methods (constrained dynamics, metadynamics) we have eventually been able to probe thereactivity of alcohols and water with hydrated alumina. We have then identified the first steps of hydration andgained insights on how to limit them.

Three illustrative cases involving the electrodeposition of ultrathin metal films of varying reactivities onto noble-metal substrates were investigated: (i) Pd on Pt(111), a noble admetal on a noble-metal surface; (ii) Bi on Pd(111), a less noble admetal on a noble-metal surface; and (iii) Co on polycrystalline Pd and Pd(111), a reactive metal on a noble-metal surface. The interfacial electrochemistry of these prototypical systems was characterized using a combination of electrochemical methods (voltammetry and coulometry) and ultrahigh vacuum electron spectroscopies (Auger electron spectroscopy, AES; low energy electron diffraction, LEED; and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS). Potential-controlled adsorption-desorption cycles of aqueous bromide exerted surface smoothening effects on ultrathin Pd films with defect sites (steps). This procedure, dubbed as electrochemical (EC) annealing, constituted a nonthermal analogue to conventional annealing. EC-annealed ultrathin Pd films exhibited long-range surface order and remained free of oxygen adspecies. Pdadatoms occupying step-sites were selectively dissolved and/or rearranged to assume equilibrium positions in a well-ordered (1x1) film. Electrodeposition of Co was found to be highly surface-structuresensitive. While virtually no Co electrodeposition transpired on a clean Pd(111) surface, Co was voltammetrically deposited on (i) a Pd(111) electrode roughened by oxidation-reduction cycles; and (ii) thermally annealed polycrystalline Pd, which is a composite of the (111) and (100) facets. Electrodeposition of Co was also observed to be kinetically hindered and slow potential scan rates (0.1 mV/s) were required. Well-defined ultrathin Bi films were potentiostatically electrodeposited onto Pd(111); a Stranski-Krastanov growth mode was indicated. The electrochemical reactivity of ultrathin Bi films was characterized using two surface probes: aqueous iodide and D-glucose. (i) Exposure of the prepared Bi adlayers (ΘBi 0.33) to aqueous iodide gave rise to (√3x√7) I-on-Bi superlattice. The same superlattice was obtained if Bi was electrodeposited onto Pd(111)(√3x√3)R30o-I. (ii) With respect to electrooxidation of D-glucose on Pd(111), the presence of Bi adlayers inhibited the by-product-induced "surface poisoning" of Pd(111) but reduced its electrocatalytic efficiency.

The world energy and product consumption keep increasing steadily over the years as the world population keeps growing and more countries become industrialized. As the world reserves deplete it becomes a necessity to find an alternative way to meet the population’s demand. Biomass conversion seems to be the future of a clean and sustainable world. Lignin is the second most abundant polymer in the biomass. Given the unique structure and chemical properties of lignin, a wide variety of bulk and fine chemicals can be obtained and be used for goods and biofuels production. Catalysis, with its selective bond cleavage and lower energy activation, is considered as a potential key solution in the process of lignin conversion into valuable chemicals. To gain insights into that catalytic system, we performed surface science experiments (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Temperature Programmed Desorption and Reflection Absorption Infrared Spectroscopy) under Ultra-High Vacuum conditions (UHV). Due to lignin’s physical properties limitation under UHV conditions, lignin models with the same chemical structure such as phenol, anisole, 2-phenoxyethanol and veratrol were used to gain a better understanding of the reactivity of lignin itself. Dosing anisole and 2-phenoxyethanol on Pt(111) surprisingly gave benzene, carbon monoxide and hydrogen as the main desorbing products of decomposition. With the help of Density Functional Theory (DFT), we successfully explain the unexpected selectivity. In the present work, we show in particular that phenoxy PhO stands as a key intermediate. Although the UHV conditions do not allow the hydrogenation of phenoxy into phenol, i.e. the catalytic product, they reveal the key role of both hydrogen and carbonaceous species. Under UHV conditions, anisole and 2-phenoxyethanol are extensively dehydrogenated: it results in the formation of carbonaceous fragments, which can actually perform the deoxygenation of phenoxy into benzene. The reactivity of veratrol on Pt(111) hindered the formation of benzene and only gave carbon monoxide and hydrogen as the main desorbing products of decomposition. Although carbonaceous fragments were formed on the surface, the deoxygenation of the two oxygenated arm moieties does not occur without the total decomposition of the aromatic ring, hence the formation of coke. This detailed work opens the door to a rational design of metal-based catalysts and a route towards lignin valorization.

The aim of this thesis is preparation of inverse model catalyst CeOx/Pt(111) and its investigation using combination of surface physics methods and electrochemistry. New electrochemical cell was designed and built for electrochemical experiments. CeOx/Pt(111) samples were prepared and studied in UHV using STM and XPS methods. After that, samples were transferred to the electrolyte environment and studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and AFM. For high surface coverage of CeOx, new reaction was observed. We have identified this reaction as a combination of the reduction of cerium(IV) oxide by interaction with hydrogen adsorbed on the Pt(111) surface and oxidation of cerium(III) oxide by dissociative adsorption of water molecules. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Title: Study of cerium oxide-metal intraction with gases - carbon monoxide oxidation and methanol decomposition Author: Tatiana Kolářová Department: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor: Doc. RNDr. Václav Nehasil, Dr., Department of Surface and Plasma Science Abstract: Dissertation thesis is focused on the study of two catalytic systems on the basis of cerium oxide-metal. The systems were characterized by various methods of surface analysis. The first part of the work concerns influence of the preparation parameters on the character of gold nanoparticles deposited onto the sputtered cerium oxide layers from a solution. Catalytic activity of prepared Au/CeOx/(C)/Si systems, containing particles with the mean sizes of 4- 10 nm, was tested toward CO oxidation at atmospheric pressure. The results show that with increasing amount of gold present on the samples, also the productivity of CO2 during the reactions grows. The work is further focused on the preparation of an inverse model CeOx/Pt(111) system. On this system, adsorption of methanol at low temeperatures and its decomposition during a heating was studied. It is apparent from presented results that the decomposition of methanol on the inverse CeOx/Pt(111) systems behaves in a different way than on a clean platinum sample or a thick...

Fuel cells are more efficient and cleaner than combustion engines. Ethanol as a fuel has a high energy density and is safer and easier to handle than hydrogen which is normally used in fuel cells. If efficient fuel cells on alcohol were available, they could be used for engines and power sources for electronics. Platinum-tin surfaces have proven to be good catalysts for ethanol and an improvement over pure platinum. The mechanism and the structure during catalysis are not well known. An experiment was performed at the Hippie beam line at Max IV to improve the knowledge in this area. The (111) surface of Pt and Pt3Sn alloy and the (223) surface of Pt, was exposed to ethanol and oxygen. Pt and Pt3Sn both have face-centered-cubic (FCC) crystal structures. The (111) surface is the most close-packed in an FCC crystal. A (223) surface is a (111) surface cut at a low angle. So it has the appearance of a stepped (111) surface. The edges on the (223) surface should increase the activity compared to the (111) surface. The surfaces and the gas phases were measured in situ with ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and a quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to analyze the gas composition. The hypothesis that increasing the number of edges as with the Pt(223) surface should increase the activity is accurate. Pt(223) was more active than Pt(111). Pt(223) and Pt3Sn(111) have similar ethanol conversion rate. Increasing the oxygen-to-ethanol ratio increased the activity both with Pt(111) and Pt(223), Pt3Sn(111) was not tested with increased oxygen-to-ethanol ratio. The gas phases were analyzed, and the existing compounds were identified. Acetaldehyde shows up in the C1s gas spectrum in all of the sequences. When ethanol decreases acetaldehyde increase. The difference between these two compounds is only two hydrogen atoms. This reaction is the start of the catalytic process and it is the same for all tested crystals. Ethylene (CH2CH2) shows up as a vague peak in the gas phase. It is only present at higher temperatures and with a low oxygen rate. Compared to the other crystals the Pt3Sn(111) sample doesn't produce CO2, at least not to a detectable degree. In the gas phases of the other crystals, the CO2 peak was visible. Pt(223) creates CO2 but to a lesser degree than Pt(111). The goal of the experiment was to investigate which Sn phases are present during ethanol oxidation. This turned out to be difficult. The Pt3Sn crystal was carbon poisoned during the first test sequence and the graphite layer was not possible to remove during the beam time. Curve fitting of the Sn3d peak resulted in two components. The components were Pt3Sn alloy and Sn with adsorbed molecules. The expected SnO2 and SnO peaks notably absent. The oxygen probably bonds with carbon instead of tin. Carbon was present on the surface due to insufficient cleaning. In the oxygen spectrum, chemically bonded oxygen seems to be present from 100 °C, as SnO2 or SnO. This peak is most likely from some other component containing oxygen. If oxygen is bonded to Sn, it should be visible in the Sn3d peak, unless it is hiding underneath one of the present peaks. According to Batzill et al. a quasimetalic state consisting of oxidized Sn alloyed with Pt has a similar binding energy as Pt3Sn alloy. So it could be that the oxygen is hiding underneath the Pt3Sn alloy component. The experiment has improved the knowledge of ethanol oxidation on platinum and platinum-tin surfaces. The knowledge gained here is a good start for further experiments and simulations.