Theoretical studies on chemisorption of oxygen on β-Mo2C catalyst and its surface oxidation

Oxygen chemisorption on β-Mo2C surface and its oxidation have been investigated by using the density functional theory with the periodic models. Two surfaces of (011) and (101) were chosen to perform the calculations and the most stable surface structures together with the energetics of oxygen stepwise adsorption were identified.

Thermodynamic effect of temperature and reactant pressure on the chemisorption and surface oxidation was investigated. The results suggest that the (101) surface is more active than the (011) surface towards the oxygen adsorption. The (101) surface can be fully oxidized by O2 at PO2/P0 of 10−21–104 and temperature of 100–700K.

For the (011) surface with O2 as the oxidant, the most stable structure is that with 1/2ML or 7/8ML oxygen coverage, depending on the temperature and PO2/P0 value. The increase of gaseous oxidant pressure or decrease of temperature can enhance the oxidation of β-Mo2C surface and lead a more negative reaction Gibbs free energy.

High temperature and low oxidant pressure may hinder the surface oxidation process.