On the electrocatalysis of nanostructures: monolayers of a foreign atom (Pd) on different substrates M(111)

E. SANTOS, P. QUAINO AND W. SCHMICKLER

ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA

Año: 2009

0013-4686

Wehave applied the electrocatalysis theory basedonthe Santos–Koper–Schmickler Hamiltonian to investigate the reactivity of nanostructures. A good agreement with experimental results has been obtained for monolayers of Pd on different substrates. The strain induced by the mismatch in the lattice constants of substrate and adsorbate is extensively discussed. We show that it is not the only effect for changing the electrocatalytic properties; also the specific chemical interaction between the monolayer and the substrate plays an important role. The catalytic properties of the nanostructures can be different for oxidation and reduction reactions.