In situ manipulation of the active Au-TiO2 interface with atomic precision during CO oxidation

The interface between metal catalyst and support plays a critical role in heterogeneous catalysis. An epitaxial interface is generally considered to be rigid, and tuning its intrinsic microstructure with atomic precision during catalytic reactions is challenging. Using aberration-corrected environmental transmission electron microscopy, we studied the interface between gold (Au) and a titanium dioxide (TiO2) support. Direct atomic-scale observations showed an unexpected dependence of the atomic structure of the Au-TiO2 interface with the epitaxial rotation of gold nanoparticles on a TiO2 surface during carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation. Taking advantage of the reversible and controllable rotation, we achieved in situ manipulation of the active Au-TiO2 interface by changing gas and temperature. This result suggests that real-time design of the catalytic interface in operating conditions may be possible.

Automated summary

The interface between metal catalyst and support is critical in heterogeneous catalysis. The study found that the atomic structure of the Au-TiO2 interface depends on the epitaxial rotation of gold nanoparticles on a TiO2 surface during CO oxidation. Manipulation of the active Au-TiO2 interface was achieved in situ by changing gas and temperature, suggesting real-time design of catalytic interface in operating conditions may be possible.