Investigation on Structure-Catalysis Correlation by Size-selected Nanocluster Catalysts with Well-defined Structures

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H05475
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Physical chemistry
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Tsunoyama Hironori 慶應義塾大学, 理工学部(矢上), 講師 (40390661)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ナノクラスター / 電極触媒 / 白金 / パラジウム / サイズ制御 / カップリング反応 / 水素発生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Size-selected metal nanocluster catalysts supported on strontium titanate were prepared by using soft-landing method along with a high-flux nanocluster ion source. Catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of single-size palladium nanocluster catalysts was investigated under atmospheric conditions in aqueous solution; palladium 30-mer exhibit the highest activity per unit atom. Taking into account the electron affinities of Pt NCs measured by photoelectron spectroscopy, the reaction mechanism of HER is deduced: the size-specific HER activity originates from the matching of energy levels of lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals of Pt NCs with the band structure of strontium titanate surfaces. In addition, milligram-scale synthesis for metal-encapsulating silicon cage nanolcusters were established based on the high-flux nanolcuster source.

Free Research Field

クラスター科学