Facile embedding of single vanadium atoms at the anatase TiO2(101) surface.
To understand the structure-reactivity relationships for mixed-metal oxide catalysts, well-defined systems are required. Mixtures of vanadia and titania (TiO2) are of particular interest for application in heterogeneous catalysis, with TiO2often acting as the support. By utilizing high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy, we studied the interaction of vanadium (V) with the anatase TiO2(101) surface in the sub-monolayer regime. At 80 K, metallic V nucleates into homogeneously distributed clusters onto the terraces with no preference for nucleation at the step edges. However, embedding of single V atoms into TiO2occurs following annealing at room temperature. In conjunction with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data and density functional theory calculations, we propose that monomeric V atoms occupy positions of regular surface Ti sites, i.e., Ti atoms are substituted by V atoms.
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. swendt@phys.au.dk.
Stig
S
Koust
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. swendt@phys.au.dk and Haldor Topsøe A/S, Haldor Topsøes Allé 1, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Logi
L
Arnarson
Haldor Topsøe A/S, Haldor Topsøes Allé 1, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Poul G
PG
Moses
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. swendt@phys.au.dk.
Zheshen
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8381-1620
Z
Li
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. swendt@phys.au.dk.
Igor
I
Beinik
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. swendt@phys.au.dk.
Jeppe V
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4953-652X
JV
Lauritsen
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. swendt@phys.au.dk.
Stefan
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6990-8971
S
Wendt