Size and Support Effect for Geometric and Electronic Structure of Size-selected Pt Clusters on TiO2(110) and Al2O3/NiAl (110)
We investigated deposited size-selected Ptn (n = 4–15) clusters supported on the TiO2(110) substrate. We have attempted to highlight the cluster–substrate interactions and their knock-on effects. Accordingly, we deposited size-selected Ptn clusters on the Al2O3/NiAl(110) surface and investigated their structure, energy, and catalytic behavior.
Ptn clusters on TiO2(110) surface show a geometrical transition from a planar structure to a 3D structure was observed when the cluster size increased to 8 Pt atoms. We found the corresponding significant decrease in the activation energy of CO oxidation.
STM/STS measurements of size-selected Pt7 clusters on a thin Al2O3/NiAl(110) were performed. No difference in distribution of the heights and diameters between Pt7 clusters on domain and on domain boundary. Pt7 clusters prefer to adsorb on domain boundaries. Resonant tunneling through discrete electronic states in Pt7 clusters were observed around 2 V.