Regensburg 2022 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik

O 45: Focus Session: Catalysis at Liquid Interfaces

O 45.1: Topical Talk

Mittwoch, 7. September 2022, 15:00–15:30, H4

Addressing Electronic Effects in Catalysis by Intermetallic Compounds — •Marc Armbrüster — Chemnitz University of Technology

The catalytic properties of materials are determined by their electronic and geometric structure. A reliable development addresses both influences separately and then combines the ideal electronic and structural properties resulting in superior catalytic materials.

Unfortunately, this is only straightforward on paper. The implementation faces hurdles concerning the control of the materials. E.g. the electronic modification of metallic materials by addition of a second metal with a different electron count can result in substitutional alloys with (in theory) random distribution of the elements. However, the sought-for electronic modification is not reachable due to segregation. Another intrinsic challenge is the geometric and electronic entanglement, i.e. when substituting one element by another, the structure might change and with it, the electronic properties.

A new approach is the partial substitution of main group elements in isostructural intermetallic compounds, enabling excellent electronic control with minimal geometric variation. Taking InPd2 and substituting In by Sn alters the valence electron count, while the distances are mostly not affected. Tuning the In/Sn ratio allows to address the electronic influence with very high resolution. Results in gas-phase hydrogenation and electrocatalysis are presented as examples of the broadly applicable approach.