An STM Study of Nickel Carbide and Copper Carbide Surfaces

Transition metal carbides and nitrides (TMCs and TMNs) have shown unique properties for strongly binding reaction intermediates and d-block transition metals and have been used as heterogeneous catalysts. Due to the predicted strong binding with metals, TMCs and TMNs are also very promising support for single atom catalysts (SACs), which possess high atomic efficiency and high catalytic performance compared to traditional catalysts yet face a common challenge of thermal instability. Elucidating the structures of TMCs and TMNs at an atomic level and the interactions between the surface and adsorbate is a crucial fundamental question to address. Herein, well-defined transition metal carbide and nitride films are prepared on Cu(111) and Ni(111) surfaces as model catalyst supports for SACs (Figure 2). The insights gained from the model catalyst surfaces will be used to promote the development of catalytic reactions, such as aqueous phase methanol reforming (APRM).