Charge Transport in Metal-Oxide Interfaces: Genesis and Detection of Hot Electron Flow and Its Role in Heterogeneous Catalysis

Most nanocatalysts are composed of highly dispersed transition metal nanoparticles on oxides. The interface between the metal nanoparticles and the oxides plays a crucial role in determining the catalytic performance of the nanocatalysts. Due to non-adiabatic electronic excitation, energetic electrons in metals can be generated during exothermic chemical processes. The energy barrier formed at the metal-oxide interfaces leads to the irreversible transport of energetic, or hot, electrons. The dopants and impurities present on the oxides can generate additional charge carriers or oxygen vacancies that affect the catalytic activity. The accumulation or depletion of hot electrons on the metal nanoparticles, in turn, can also influence the catalytic reactions. In this article, we outline recent studies of the role of metal oxide interfaces and characteristics of fast charge transfer between metals and oxides. The electronic configuration of metal-oxide nanocatalysts during catalytic reactions will be introduced and its influence on heterogeneous catalysis will be outlined.