Resolving Catalytic Phenomena at the Atomic Scale
Michael Bowker
Cardiff University
Abstract
In this talk I will highlight the use of STM, especially carried out at high temperature, to
investigate surface processes and I will relate these to phenomena observed in
heterogeneous catalysis. Model nanoparticulate catalysts (metal nanoparticles on
TiO2(110)) can be fabricated and imaged in situ in the STM, and the effects of conditions
and gas treatment on the metal-oxide interaction will be reported. This covers such
practically important phenomena as oxygen storage, spillover, strong metal-support
interactions and sintering, all of considerable importance to automobile catalysts and
therefore to the well-being of our environment.