Thoughts on the past, present and future of UHV surface chemistry and the birth of Single-Atom Alloys

IF 2.1 4区化学 Q3 CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL

Surface Science Pub Date : 2024-07-26 DOI:10.1016/j.susc.2024.122566

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Throughout its relatively short lifetime, ultra-high vacuum (UHV) surface chemistry has progressed quickly. In the 1960′s, pioneers like Ertl and Somorjai started the field using single crystals and gained significant insight into catalytic processes by relating surface structure to reactivity. The more recent proliferation of scanning probes has significantly increased the power of the single crystal approach by enabling the atomic-scale structure of active sites to be correlated with their reactivity. In this perspective we briefly discuss how the field developed, identify some challenges, and highlight Single-Atom Alloys (SAAs), a new class of heterogeneous catalyst that was developed from a fundamental surface science approach. However, despite recent successes, funding for fundamental surface science has declined. Academic hires in the discipline are also declining in part due to the start-up costs. We make the case that fundamental UHV surface chemistry is still too young a field to be in recession.

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关于超高真空表面化学的过去、现在和未来以及单原子合金诞生的思考

超高真空（UHV）表面化学在其相对较短的发展历程中取得了突飞猛进的发展。20 世纪 60 年代，Ertl 和 Somorjai 等先驱利用单晶开创了这一领域，并通过将表面结构与反应性联系起来，深入了解了催化过程。最近，扫描探针的大量出现使活性位点的原子尺度结构与其反应性相关联，从而大大提高了单晶方法的威力。在本视角中，我们简要讨论了该领域的发展过程，指出了一些挑战，并重点介绍了单原子合金 (SAA)，这是一种从基础表面科学方法发展而来的新型异相催化剂。然而，尽管最近取得了成功，基础表面科学的经费却在减少。该学科的学术人员招聘也在减少，部分原因是启动成本。我们认为，超高真空基础表面化学仍然是一个太年轻的领域，不应该陷入衰退。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Surface Science 化学-物理：凝聚态物理

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.30%

发文量

137

审稿时长

25 days

期刊介绍： Surface Science is devoted to elucidating the fundamental aspects of chemistry and physics occurring at a wide range of surfaces and interfaces and to disseminating this knowledge fast. The journal welcomes a broad spectrum of topics, including but not limited to: • model systems (e.g. in Ultra High Vacuum) under well-controlled reactive conditions • nanoscale science and engineering, including manipulation of matter at the atomic/molecular scale and assembly phenomena • reactivity of surfaces as related to various applied areas including heterogeneous catalysis, chemistry at electrified interfaces, and semiconductors functionalization • phenomena at interfaces relevant to energy storage and conversion, and fuels production and utilization • surface reactivity for environmental protection and pollution remediation • interactions at surfaces of soft matter, including polymers and biomaterials. Both experimental and theoretical work, including modeling, is within the scope of the journal. Work published in Surface Science reaches a wide readership, from chemistry and physics to biology and materials science and engineering, providing an excellent forum for cross-fertilization of ideas and broad dissemination of scientific discoveries.