O 2 Activation by Metal Surfaces: Implications for Bonding and Reactivity on Heterogeneous Catalysts

The activation of O2 on metal surfaces is a critical process for heterogeneous catalysis and materials oxidation. Fundamental studies of well-defined metal surfaces using a variety of techniques have given crucial insight into the mechanisms, energetics, and dynamics of O2 adsorption and dissociation. Here, trends in the activation of O2 on transition metal surfaces are discussed, and various O2 adsorption states are described in terms of both electronic structure and geometry. The mechanism and dynamics of O2 dissociation are also reviewed, including the importance of the spin transition. The reactivity of O2 and O toward reactant molecules is also briefly discussed in the context of catalysis. The reactivity…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Award: DE-SC0012573
• OO
  Office of Science

  Award: DE-SC0012573
• BE
  Basic Energy Sciences

  Awards: -SC0012573, DE-SC0012573