Electronic properties and charge transfer phenomena in Pt nanoparticles on -Al2O3: size, shape, support, and adsorbate effectsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c2cp41928a

• Main Authors: Behafarid, F, Ono, L. K, Mostafa, S, Croy, J. R, Shafai, G, Hong, S, Rahman, T. S, Bare, Simon R, Roldan Cuenya, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2012
• ISSN: 1463-9076; 1463-9084
• DOI: 10.1039/c2cp41928a

This study presents a systematic detailed experimental and theoretical investigation of the electronic properties of size-controlled free and -Al 2 O 3 -supported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) and their evolution with decreasing NP size and adsorbate (H 2 ) coverage. A combination of in situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed changes in the electronic characteristics of the NPs due to size, shape, NP-adsorbate (H 2 ) and NP-support interactions. A correlation between the NP size, number of surface atoms and coordination of such atoms, and the maximum hydrogen coverage stabilized at a given temperature is established, with H/Pt ratios exceeding the 1 : 1 ratio previously reported for bulk Pt surfaces. In situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure and density functional theory calculations revealed changes in the electronic characteristics of Pt nanoparticles due to size, shape, nanoparticle-adsorbate (H 2 ) and nanoparticle-support interactions.