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Zhang, Guanghui

Publications and source records attributed to Zhang, Guanghui.

14 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS): Surface Structural Determination of Alloy Nanoparticles

In catalysis since reactions occur on the surface of nanoparticles (NP), it is essential to determine the composition of this structure, rather than that of the nanoparticles, since the two may be, and often are, different. Conventional techniques including X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are powerful techniques, but these data reflect the average composition of the entire particle. In this chapter, we introduce the method of EXAFS analysis, which isolates the surface atoms of nanoparticles based on its sensitivity to chemical reactions, specifically surface oxidation. As shown in our case studies, if the surface of a Pt-based nanoparticle is contacted by air at room temperature, the surface will selectively oxidize, resulting in the loss of Pt-Pt and Pt-M bonds to the formation of Pt-O bonds. The difference between the completely reduced and surface-oxidized nanoparticle allows for the isolation of signal from the catalytic surface. Although these examples highlight Pt alloys, similar analysis is also possible for other group 8 and IB bimetallic catalysts.

Zhang, Guanghui↗
DOE OSTI2023

Promoting propane dehydrogenation over PtFe bimetallic catalysts by optimizing the state of Fe species

Optimizing the structure of Pt-based bimetallic catalysts is of utmost importance toward improving the propane dehydrogenation performance. It is challenging to precisely synthesize uniform PtFe alloy nanoparticles without excess unalloyed Fe species on the support as these Fe species lead to low propylene selectivity, coke deposition, and poor stability. Herein, we report an effective strategy to optimize the structure of PtFe bimetallic catalysts with minimal coke and high turnover frequency (8.2 s -1 ). For the optimized catalyst, 1Pt3Fe@S-1, most Fe species is in the framework of the zeolite S-1, which significantly suppresses the formation of coke. In addition, the extra-framework Fe and Pt species encapsulated in the channel of zeolite form uniform PtFe alloy nanoparticles, which significantly improves the C 3 H 6 selectivity, catalytic stability, and recycling performance. In conclusion, these findings provide insights into the structure-performance relationship of PtFe bimetallic catalysts and shall be beneficial to future design and optimization of similar catalytic materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Intermetallic alloy structure–activity descriptors derived from inelastic X-ray scattering

Synchrotron spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory (DFT) are combined to develop a new descriptor for the stability of adsorbed chemical intermediates on metal alloy surfaces. This descriptor probes the separation of occupied and unoccupied d electron density in platinum and is related to shifts in Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) signals. Simulated and experimental spectroscopy are directly compared to show that the promoter metal identity controls the orbital shifts in platinum electronic structure. The associated RIXS features are correlated with the differences in the band centers of the occupied and unoccupied d bands, providing chemical intuition for the alloy ligand effect and providing a connection to traditional descriptions of chemisorption. The ready accessibility of this descriptor to both DFT calculations and experimental spectroscopy, and its connection to chemisorption, allow for deeper connections between theory and characterization in the discovery of new catalysts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Controlled site coverage of strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) on Pd NP catalysts

Here, strong metal–support interaction catalysts have been shown to improve desired product selectivity at the cost of fractional rates due to active site coverage. The goal of this study was to determine if the active site coverage of metallic nanoparticles could be controlled to lower levels than have been previously reported in SMSI catalysts with the aim of improving the rate while maintaining high selectivity. 2Pd–XTi/SiO 2 (2 wt% Pd, X wt% Ti) strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) catalysts with Ti loadings between 0–1.0 wt% were synthesized to control Pd nanoparticle coverage. Calcination at 450 °C and reduction at 550 °C were sufficient for forming ~2 nm sized Pd particles in all catalysts. Increasing the Ti loading from 0.1 to 1.0 wt% increased the surface coverage from 40 to 85% at a fixed reduction temperature of 550 °C. The IR spectra of the SMSI catalysts were similar with a high fraction of linear bonded CO which was much higher than that of Pd nanoparticles of similar size. The SMSI overlayer could be removed by oxidation at 350 °C and re-reduction at 200 °C. EXAFS of the oxidized catalysts indicates that nearly full oxidation of the metallic nanoparticle was required to remove the SMSI overlayer. Oxidation temperatures from 30 to 300 °C partially oxidized the Pd nanoparticles and subsequent re-reduction at 200 °C partially decreases the SMSI coverage. The fractional surface coverage was determined by measuring the rate of propylene hydrogenation with and without the SMSI overlayer. Increasing the reduction temperature from 200 to 550 °C increased the SMSI coverage from 0 to 85% depending on the Ti loading and temperature. In conclusion, after reduction at 550 °C and oxidation at 350 °C, the range of coverages varied between ~10% with 0.1 wt% Ti after re-reduction at 300 °C and ~85% with 1 wt% Ti after reduction at 550 °C.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Structural and Catalytic Properties of Isolated Pt 2+ Sites in Platinum Phosphide (PtP 2 )

This article describes the synthesis and catalytic properties of supported, 2-3 nm platinum phosphide (PtP 2 ) nanoparticles (NPs). Depending on the P loading, two PtP 2 structures are formed, that is, a PtP 2 surface on a (metallic) Pt core (Pt@PtP 2 ) and single-phase PtP 2 NPs. The structures were determined using extended X-ray absorption fine structure , in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. In PtP 2 NPs, Pt 2+ ions are geometrically isolated by P 2 2- ions, at a Pt-Pt distance of 4.02 Å, which is much longer than 2.78 Å in (metallic) Pt NPs. The oxidation state of Pt in PtP 2 NPs was determined by in situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure and in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and was found to be consistent with Pt 2+ ions even after treatment in H 2 at 550 °C. Unlike Pt NPs, which are highly active for propylene hydrogenation at room temperature, PtP 2 NPs are not active below about 150 °C, suggesting the absence of metallic surface Pt. In contrast to metallic Pt, which is poorly selective for acetylene hydrogenation, PtP 2 NPs display high selectivity toward ethylene. PtP 2 , also has high olefin selectivity for propane dehydrogenation, although the rate per g Pt is about 7 times lower than that of metallic Pt NPs of the same size. In situ resonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopy shows that the energy of the filled Pt 5d valence orbitals is 1.5 eV lower than that of metallic Pt, which leads to weaker adsorbate binding consistent with its catalytic properties. Here, a H 2 -stable Pt 2+ site suggests different catalytic applications for these catalysts as compared to Pt NPs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Olefin oligomerization by main group Ga 3+ and Zn 2+ single site catalysts on SiO 2

In heterogeneous catalysis, olefin oligomerization is typically performed on immobilized transition metal ions, such as Ni 2+ and Cr 3+ . Here we report that silica-supported, single site catalysts containing immobilized, main group Zn 2+ and Ga 3+ ion sites catalyze ethylene and propylene oligomerization to an equilibrium distribution of linear olefins with rates similar to that of Ni 2+ . The molecular weight distribution of products formed on Zn 2+ is similar to Ni 2+ , while Ga 3+ forms higher molecular weight olefins. In situ spectroscopic and computational studies suggest that oligomerization unexpectedly occurs by the Cossee-Arlman mechanism via metal hydride and metal alkyl intermediates formed during olefin insertion and β-hydride elimination elementary steps. Initiation of the catalytic cycle is proposed to occur by heterolytic C-H dissociation of ethylene, which occurs at about 250 °C where oligomerization is catalytically relevant. This work illuminates new chemistry for main group metal catalysts with potential for development of new oligomerization processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

The effect of strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) on Pt–Ti/SiO 2 and Pt–Nb/SiO 2 catalysts for propane dehydrogenation

In this study, we show how strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) oxides in Pt–Nb/SiO 2 and Pt–Ti/SiO 2 affect the electronic, geometric and catalytic properties for propane dehydrogenation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CO chemisorption, and decrease in the catalytic rates per gram Pt confirm that the Pt nanoparticles were partially covered by the SMSI oxides. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) showed little change in the energy of Pt valence orbitals upon interaction with SMSI oxides. The catalytic activity per mol of Pt for ethylene hydrogenation and propane dehydrogenation was lower due to fewer exposed Pt sites, while turnover rates were similar. The SMSI oxides, however, significantly increase the propylene selectivity for the latter reaction compared to Pt/SiO 2 . In the SMSI catalysts, the higher olefin selectivity is suggested to be due to the smaller exposed Pt ensemble sites, which result in suppression of the alkane hydrogenolysis reaction; while the exposed atoms remain active for dehydrogenation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗