Evolution of Graphene Supported Ru_N (N=1–4) Clusters in CO Atmosphere: A First‐Principles Investigation

Abstract

We investigated the evolution of Ru clusters containing 1-4 atoms supported on graphene in CO atmosphere with extensive first principle-based calculations. Exothermic CO adsorption induces gradual structure reorganization and change of the RuÀ Ru, Ru-graphene, and Ru-CO interactions within these Ru carbonyls. The upper limits of CO on a surface of Ru cluster are 3, 6, 10 and 12 for Ru 1 , Ru 2 , Ru 3 and Ru 4 , respectively. The further CO adsorption enhances steric hindrance at the Rugraphene interface that finally leads to release of under-coordinated Ru carbonyls into gas phase. Competing with the CO adsorption and sintering of Ru species for better thermostability, disintegration of multinuclear surface Ru carbonyls to atomically dispersed Ru species on graphene is still feasible. The current findings bring more insights into the evolution and interconversion of Ru carbonyls in a CO atmosphere and may help to understand the superior performance of heterogeneous transition metal catalysts in operation conditions.