A route toward the generation of thermally stable Au cluster anions supported on the MgO surface.
On the basis of experimental evidence and DFT calculations, we propose a simple yet viable way to stabilize and chemically activate gold nanoclusters on MgO. First the MgO surface is functionalized by creation of trapped electrons, (H (+))(e (-)) centers (exposure to atomic H or to H 2 under UV light, deposition of low amounts of alkali metals on partially hydroxylated surfaces, etc.); the second step consists in the self-aggregation of gold clusters deposited from the gas phase. The calculations show that the (H (+))(e (-)) centers act both as nucleation and activation sites. The process can lead to thermally stable gold cluster anions whose catalytic activity is enhanced by the presence of an excess electron.
Pacchioni
Gianfranco
G
Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi, 53 - 20125, Milano, Italy.
Sicolo
Sabrina
S
Valentin
Cristiana Di
CD
Chiesa
Mario
M
Giamello
Elio
E