Role of steps in the reactivity of the anatase TiO2(101) surface

Xue Qing Gong, Annabella Selloni

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

75 Scopus citations

Abstract

We studied the adsorption of water, methanol, and formic acid at terraces and steps on the stoichiometric anatase TiO2(101) surface by means of density functional theory calculations. Our results show that the reactivity of the step edges is distinct from that of the (101) terraces and is instead similar to the reactivity of the extended (112) and (100) surfaces, which are exposed at their facets. More specifically, on the (101) terraces, all molecules are adsorbed in molecular (undissociated) form, and the adsorption energy is rather low (<1 eV). At step D-(112), adsorption energies are significantly larger than on (101) terraces, but molecular adsorption is still favored by water and methanol. At step B-(100), all of the molecules prefer to dissociate, even though the adsorption energy of water is lower than on the (101) terrace. The connection between reactivity and local structure is highlighted, and comparison with available experimental data is provided.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)134-139
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Catalysis
Volume249
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 25 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Catalysis
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Keywords

  • Adsorption
  • Anatase
  • Defect
  • Density functional theory
  • Metal oxides
  • Photocatalysis
  • Surface reactivity
  • Surface step
  • Titanium dioxide

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Role of steps in the reactivity of the anatase TiO2(101) surface'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this