In Situ Observation of C−C Coupling and Step Poisoning During the Growth of Hydrocarbon Chains on Ni(111). (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zou, Zhiyu; Sala, Alessandro; Panighel, Mirco; Tosi, Ezequiel; Lacovig, Paolo; Lizzit, Silvano; Scardamaglia, Mattia; Kokkonen, Esko; Cepek, Cinzia; Africh, Cristina; Comelli, Giovanni; Günther, Sebastian; Patera, Laerte L.
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 135:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis -- Heterogeneous Catalysis -- Near-Ambient Pressure -- Scanning Tunneling Microscopy; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.202213295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

Abstract: The synthesis of high‐value fuels and plastics starting from small hydrocarbon molecules plays a central role in the current transition towards renewable energy. However, the detailed mechanisms driving the growth of hydrocarbon chains remain to a large extent unknown. Here we investigated the formation of hydrocarbon chains resulting from acetylene polymerization on a Ni(111) model catalyst surface. Exploiting X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy up to near‐ambient pressures, the intermediate species and reaction products have been identified. Complementary in situ scanning tunneling microscopy observations shed light onto the C−C coupling mechanism. While the step edges of the metal catalyst are commonly assumed to be the active sites for the C−C coupling, we showed that the polymerization occurs instead on the flat terraces of the metallic surface. Abstract : The atomistic mechanisms driving hydrocarbon chain growth on a nickel model catalyst were elucidated with a combination of surface‐sensitive X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. While the step edges of the catalyst are commonly assumed to be the active sites for C−C coupling, this research demonstrates that polymerization occurs on the flat terrace sites.