Using density functional calculations to elucidate atomic ordering of Pd-Rh nanoparticles at sizes relevant for catalytic applications

Pd-Rh nanoparticles are known to easily undergo surface restructuring in reactive environment. This study quantifies, with the help of density functional(DFT) calculations and a novel topological approach, atomic ordering and surface segregation effects in Pd-Rh particles with compositions 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 containing up to 201 atoms(ca. 1.7 nm). The obtained data are used to reliably optimise energetically preferred atomic orderings in inaccessible by DFT Pd-Rh particles containing thousands of atoms and exhibiting sizes exceeding 5 nm, which are typical for catalytic metal particles. It is outlined, how segregation effects on the surface arrangement of Pd-Rh nanoalloy catalysts induced by adsorbates can be evaluated in a simple way within the present modelling setup.

The structure–activity relationships of Rh/CeO_(2)-ZrO_(2) catalysts based on Rh metal size effect in the three-way catalytic reactions

With the continuous tightening of automotive emission regulations and the increasing promotion of energy-efficient hybrid vehicles,new challenges have arisen for the low-temperature performance of three-way catalysts(TWCs).To guide the design of next-generation TWCs,it is essential to further develop our understanding of the relationships between microstructure and catalytic performance.Here,Rh/CeO_(2)–ZrO_(2) catalysts were synthesized with different Rh metal dispersion by using a combination of the wet impregnation method and reduction treatment.These catalysts included Rh single-atom catalysts,cluster catalysts,and nanoparticle catalysts.The results showed that the Rh nanoparticle catalyst,with an average size of 1.9 nm,exhibited superior three-way catalytic performance compared to the other catalysts.Based on the catalytic activity in a series of simple reaction atmospheres such as CO+O_(2),NO+CO,and hydrocarbons(HCs)+O_(2) and operando infrared spectroscopy,we found that metallic Rh sites on Rh nanoparticles are the key factor responsible for the low-temperature catalytic performance.

A stepwise-designed Rh-Au-Si nanocomposite that surpasses Pt/C hydrogen evolution activity at high overpotentials

Hydrogen evolution by electrocatalysis clean energy. However, it is challenging is an attractive method of supplying to find cheap and efficient alternatives to rare and expensive platinum based catalysts. Pt provides the best hydrogen evolution performance, because it optimally balances the free energies of adsorption and desorption. Appropriate control of these quantities is essential for producing an efficient electrocatalyst. We demonstrate, based on first principles calculations, a stepwise designed Rh-Au-Si ternary catalyst, in which adsorption （the Volmer reaction） and desorption （the Heyrovsky reaction） take place on Rh and Si surfaces, respectively. The intermediate Au surface plays a vital role by promoting hydrogen diffusion from the Rh to the Si surface. Theoretical predictions have been explored extensively and verified by experimental observations. The optimized catalyst （Rh-Au-SiNW-2） has a com- position of 2.2：28.5：69.3 （Rh：Au：Si mass ratio） and exhibits a Tafel slope of 24.0 mV.dec-L Its electrocatalytic activity surpasses that of a commercial 40 wt.% Pt/C catalyst at overpotentials above 0.19 V by exhibiting a current density of greater than 108 mA-cm-2. At 0.3 V overpotential, the turnover frequency of Rh-Au-SiNW-2 is 10.8 times greater than that of 40 wt.% Pt/C. These properties may open new directions in the stepwise design of highly efficient catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction （HER）.

Effects of synthesis methods on the performance of Pt + Rh/Ce_(0.6)Zr_(0.4)O_2 three-way catalysts

The 0.7 wt% Pt ＋ 0.3 wt% Rh/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 catalysts were fabricated via different methods, including ultrasonic-assisted membrane reduction （UAMR） co-precipitation, UAMR separation precipitation, co-impregnation, and sequential impregnation. The catalysts were physico-chemically characterized by N2 adsorption, XRD, TEM, and Hz-TPR techniques, and evaluated for three-way catalytic activities with simulated automobile exhaust. UAMR co-precipitation- and UAMR separation precipitation- prepared catalysts exhibited a high surface area and metal dispersion, wide λ window and excellent conversion for NOx reduction under lean conditions. Both fresh and aged catalysts from UAMR- precipitation showed the high surface areas of ca. 60-67 m^2/g and 18-22 m^2/g, respectively, high metal dispersion of 41%-55%, and small active particle diameters of 2.1-2.7 nm. When these catalysts were aged, the catalysts prepared by the UAMR method exhibited a wider working window （△λ = 0.284--0.287） than impregnated ones （△λ = 0.065-0.115） as well as excellent three-way catalytic performance, and showed lower/so （169℃） and T90 （195℃） for NO reduction than the aged catalysts from impregnation processes, which were at 265 and 309℃, respectively. This implied that the UAMR-separation precipitation has important potential for industrial applications to improve catalytic performance and thermal stability. The fresh and aged 0.7 wt% Pt ＋ 0.3 wt% Rh/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 catalysts prepared by the UAMR-separation precipitation method exhibited better catalytic performance than the corresponding catalysts prepared by conventional impregnation routes.