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How to Remove the Capping Agent from Pd Nanocubes without Destructing Their Surface Structure for the Maximization of Catalytic Activity?
Author(s) -
Shi Yifeng,
Lyu Zhiheng,
Cao Zhenming,
Xie Minghao,
Xia Younan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202006011
Subject(s) - catalysis , oxide , formic acid , ion , layer (electronics) , adsorption , reducing agent , hydrazine (antidepressant) , chemistry , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , nanocrystal , desorption , materials science , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , chromatography , engineering
We report a robust method for effectively removing the chemisorbed Br − ions, a capping agent, from the surface of Pd nanocubes to maximize their catalytic activity. The Br − ions can be removed by simply heating the sample in water, but the desorption of Br − ions will expose the underneath Pd atoms to the O 2 from air for the formation of a relatively thick oxide layer. During potential cycling, the oxide layer evolves into detrimental features such as steps and terraces. By introducing a trace amount of hydrazine into the system, the Br − ions can be removed by heating without forming a thick oxide layer. The as‐cleaned nanocubes show greatly enhanced activity toward formic acid oxidation. This cleaning method can also remove Br − ions from Rh nanocubes and it is expected to work for other combinations of nanocrystals and capping agents.