DFT Study of the BH4- Hydrolysis on Au(111) Surface

The mechanism of the catalytic hydrolysis of BH4- on Au(111) as studied by DFT is reported. The results are compared to the analogous process on Ag(111) that was recently reported. It is found that the borohydride species are adsorbed stronger on the Au-0-NP surface than on the Ag-0-NP surface. The electron affinity of the Au is larger than that of Ag. The results indicate that only two steps of hydrolysis are happening on the Au(111) surface and the reaction mechanism differs significantly from that on the Ag(111) surface. These remarkable results were experimentally verified. Upon hydrolysis, only three hydrogens of BH4- are transferred to the Au surface, not all four, and H-2 generation is enhanced in the presence of surface H atoms. Thus, it is proposed that the BH4- hydrolysis and reduction mechanisms catalyzed by M-0-NPs depend considerably on the nature of the metal.

Automated summary

The catalytic hydrolysis of BH4- on Au(111) surface was studied using DFT and compared to Ag(111) surface. The results show significant differences in the reaction mechanisms between the two surfaces, with only three of the four hydrogen atoms from BH4- transferred to the Au surface. The presence of surface H atoms enhances the generation of H-2.