Tailoring the reactivity of bimetallic overlayer and surface alloy systems

Abstract

Changing the composition and structure of a bimetallic surface system modifies itselectronic properties and thus its catalytic activity. On the basis of density functionaltheory calculations, the electronic factors underlying the modified properties of bimetallicsurfaces such as overlayer systems and, in particular, surface alloys will be discussed. It willbe demonstrated that by mixing two metals a new metallic compound can result whoseproperties are not intermediate but beyond those of both constituents, so that for exampleby adding a relatively inert metal a more reactive surface can result. Besides thereactivity, the stability of the bimetallic systems will also be briefly discussed.