Nickel and rhodium nanowires are highly reactive towards oxygen, a research team has discovered, in a development that may have significant implications for the future development of chemical catalysts.

The scientists' discovery came after they established a model using physical vapour deposition to form quasi one-dimensional rows of nickel atoms on a special rhodium substrate, which enabled much closer study of metallic nanosystems at an atomic level than had previously been possible.

Upon studying the results, the team from the Institute of Physics at Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria, found that enhanced reactivity of the nickel rows is chiefly due to shifts in specific electronic states of rhodium in the step structure, with the shift transferring to the directly adjacent nickel atoms and fostering greater reactivity with oxygen.

Professor Falko Netzer, who led the team, said: "Our measurements and calculations provide clear evidence that one-dimensional nickel rows can fully react with oxygen at a specific gas pressure - without even one rhodium atom reacting with oxygen.

"As a result, this system offers opportunities to develop new catalysts, involving the adsorption and dissociation of oxygen atoms."

Established in 2003 by Professor Falko Netzer, the Nanoscience on Surfaces programme - under which the research was undertaken - also involves exploratory work carried out in the universities in Vienna, Linz, and Innsbruck as well as technical universities.

Source:

Nanoscience in Austria leads the way, 18/06/7
http://www.pr-inside.com/nanoscience-in-austria-leads-the-way-r156608.htm


Ÿ Adfero Ltd