Visualizing H<sub>2</sub>O molecules reacting at TiO<sub>2</sub> active sites with transmission electron microscopy.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 31974251.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/science.aay2474.
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Abstract
Imaging a reaction taking place at the molecular level could provide direct information for understanding the catalytic reaction mechanism. We used in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy and a nanocrystalline anatase titanium dioxide (001) surface with (1 × 4) reconstruction as a catalyst, which provided highly ordered four-coordinated titanium "active rows" to realize real-time monitoring of water molecules dissociating and reacting on the catalyst surface. The twin-protrusion configuration of adsorbed water was observed. During the water-gas shift reaction, dynamic changes in these structures were visualized on these active rows at the molecular level.