(399a) Structure-Energy-Activity Relationships in Heterogeneous Catalysis - a View from Theory

The understanding of the catalytic properties of nanoparticle catalysts and the design of optimal composition and structures demands fast methods for the calculation of adsorption energies. By exploring the adsorption of O and OR (R=OH, OOH, OCH₃) adsorbates on a large range of surface sites with 9 transition metals, we propose new structure sensitive scaling relations between the adsorption energy of two adsorbates that are valid for all metals and for all surface sites.¹ This opens the way for a new class of activity volcano plots where the descriptor is not an energy but a structure-related descriptor. In addition, to better grasp finite size effects in the nanoparticles, a generalized coordination number is proposed as a leading descriptor for the adsorption strength. ^2,3

Simple descriptors as generalized coordination show a strong predictive potential exemplified in the design of optimal oxygen reduction reaction catalysts, with strong impact on efficient storage of energy.

References

1. F. Calle-Vallejo, D. Loffreda, M. T. M. Koper and P. Sautet, Nature Chemistry, 2015, 7, 403-410

2. F. Calle-Vallejo, J. I. Martínez, J. M. García-Lastra, P. Sautet and D. Loffreda, Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2014, 53, 8316-8319

3. F. Calle-Vallejo, J. Tymoczko, V. Colic, Q. H. Vu, M. D. Pohl, K. Morgenstern, D. Loffreda, P. Sautet, W. Schuhmann, A. S. Bandarenka, Science, 2015, 350, 185-189