Density Functional Theory Study of the Immobilization and Hindered Surface Migration of Pd3 and Pd4 Nanoclusters over Defect-Ridden Graphene: Implications for Heterogeneous Catalysis

Graphene nanosheets have been considered as robust support materials for metal nanoparticles and clusters with prominent applications to heterogeneous catalysis. In this study, by using the density functional theory, we performed a systematic investigation of the binding energetics, electronic charge analysis, and migratory surface barriers of free and solvated Pd-3 and Pd-4 clusters over pristine and defect-ridden graphene. Intrinsic as well as extrinsic defects were considered. In intrinsic defects, Stone- Wales defect, single-vacancy defect, and double-vacancy defect were considered, while in extrinsic defects, boron-, nitrogen-, and oxygen-doped systems were considered. Our investigation highlighted double-vacancy-defected graphene and B-doped graphene as excellent materials providing strong traps for Pd-3 and Pd-4 clusters, which not only immobilized the Pd clusters on them but also hindered their surface migration, thereby making them potential candidates for heterogeneous catalytic applications. With a particular reference to the prevalent application of Pd-graphene systems to the catalysis of hydrogenation reactions, we also studied the stability of the clusters in the presence of H-2. Our calculations showed that the stability of the clusters was retained in the presence of H-2, making them suited for the catalysis of hydrogenation reactions.

Automated summary

Graphene nanosheets are robust support materials for metal nanoparticles, with double-vacancy-defected graphene and B-doped graphene identified as excellent traps for Pd-3 and Pd-4 clusters, immobilizing and hindering their surface migration for potential heterogeneous catalytic applications. The stability of clusters in the presence of H-2 also makes them suitable for catalyzing hydrogenation reactions.