Abstract
A theoretical comparative study of methane dissociation on Ni, Pd, Pt and Cu metal (111) surfaces has been carried out using a quasirelativistic density functional method. Reaction energies for the steps involved in the dissociation of methane are determined. The activation energies have been estimated using the analytic BOC-MP formula. The results support the notion that the transition metals are active in methane dissociation. The calculated total dissociation energies for the complete dissociation of CH4 to surface C and H on the transition metals fall in the order Ni < Pd ≈ Pt, which corresponds to the order of the catalytic activities over the metals in methane conversion (Ni > Pd ≈ Pt). The complete dissociation on Cu is calculated to be endothermic. Thus methane dissociation on a Cu catalyst is unlikely, in agreement with the experimental observations. The dissociation of methane in the presence of adsorbed oxygen has also been examined.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 445-452 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Chemical Physics Letters |
Volume | 272 |
Issue number | 5-6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 4 Jul 1997 |