Characterization of O2-CeO2 Interactions Using In Situ Raman Spectroscopy and First-Principle Calculations

• Published in: Chemphyschem Vol. 7; no. 9; pp. 1957 - 1963
• Main Authors: Choi, Y. M., Abernathy, Harry, Chen, Hsin-Tsung, Lin , M. C., Liu, Meilin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 11.09.2006; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: adsorption; cerium; Chemistry; density-functional calculations; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Raman spectroscopy; Solid-gas interface; surface chemistry; Surface physical chemistry; Cerium Oxides; Oxygen; cerium; In situ; Surface chemistry; Crystal face; Characterization; density-functional calculations; Gas solid adsorption; Raman specroscopy; Density functional; Adsorption; Gas solid interface; Calculation; Raman spectrometry; Lanthanide Compounds
• ISSN: 1439-4235; 1439-7641
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.200600190

Interactions between O2 and CeO2 are examined experimentally using in situ Raman spectroscopy and theoretically using density‐functional slab‐model calculations. Two distinct oxygen bands appear at 825 and 1131 cm−1, corresponding to peroxo‐ and superoxo‐like species, respectively, when partially reduced CeO2 is exposed to 10 % O2. Periodic density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations aid the interpretation of spectroscopic observations and provide energetic and geometric information for the dioxygen species adsorbed on CeO2. The O2 adsorption energies on unreduced CeO2 surfaces are endothermic (0.91<ΔEads<0.98 eV), while those on reduced surfaces are exothermic (−4. 0<ΔEads<−0.9 eV), depending on other relevant surface processes such as chemisorption and diffusion into the bulk. Partial reduction of surface Ce4+ to Ce3+ (together with formation of oxygen vacancies) alters geometrical parameters and, accordingly, leads to a shift in the vibrational frequencies of adsorbed oxygen species compared to those on unreduced CeO2. Moreover, the location of oxygen vacancies affects the formation and subsequent dissociation of oxygen species on the surfaces. DFT predictions of the energetics support the experimental observation that the reduced surfaces are energetically more favorable than the unreduced surfaces for oxygen adsorption and reduction. Lack of oxygen: O2–CeO2 interactions are explored using Raman spectroscopy (see figure) and density functional calculations, yielding energetic and geometric information. The location of oxygen vacancies influences the formation and dissociation of adsorbed oxygen species and a reduced surface is shown to be energetically more favorable for oxygen reduction.