Surface modification of MCr2O4 (M = Mg and Zn) by Cu-Doping: Theoretical prediction and experimental observation of enhanced catalysis for CO oxidation

Abstract

We theoretically investigated surface modification of MCr2O4 (M = Mg and Zn) by Cu-doping and doping effects on catalytic activity for CO oxidation. DFT + U calculations elucidated that Cu-dopants in MCr2O4(111) exist on the surface layer, CO oxidation by Cu-doped MCr2O4(111) occurs through Mars van Krevelen mechanism, rate-determining step (RDS) is the first CO2 desorption with oxygen vacancy (OV) formation, and the catalytic activity is enhanced very much by Cu-doping. Also, we experimentally observed that CO conversion was dramatically improved to 70% by the Cu-doped ZnCr2O4 from 5.2% by non-doped ZnCr2O4 at 300 °C. Bader charge analysis and difference density map show that M atom on the MCr2O4 surface receives electron density from the dissociating O atom in the OV formation step and the Cu-dopant can receive more electron density than Mg and Zn atoms to facilitate the OV formation and accelerate the first CO2 desorption(RDS). This larger capability of Cu-dopant for receiving electron density results from the facts that the Cu atom has large electronegativity and + I oxidation state besides + II in metal oxide but Mg and Zn have small electronegativity and only + II oxidation state.