Structure and Chemistry of Alloy and Oxide Films on Bimetallic Pt Surfaces

Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA

Investigators

Abstract

The Analytical and Surface Chemistry (ASC) program of the Division of Chemistry will support the research program of Prof. Bruce Koel of Lehigh University. Prof. Koel and his students will study how the structure and composition of bimetallic Pt alloy surfaces, and oxide-alloy interfaces, affect the chemistry and catalytic activity of these materials. The research team will prepare surfaces of ordered alloys of Pt and another metal that expose only particular alloy sites. This will simplify understanding of the chemistry of more complicated, real-world surfaces and enable probing the reactivity of catalytic sites with a particular composition and structure. The study could lead to development of new and improved catalysts. It will provide excellent training opportunities to undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the research field of catalysis, which is of great importance to the US economy.