Probing the interaction of Au, Rh and bimetallic Au–Rh clusters with the TiO2 nanowire and nanotube support

Gold, rhodium and their coadsorbed layers were prepared on titanate nanowires and nanotubes and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEIS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). On titanate nanowire and tube supports the gold 4f7/2 XP emission appeared after reduction at 83.7 eV and 85.6 eV indicating two different sizes or chemical environments of gold nanoclusters. The titanate nanostructures stabilize the nearly atomically dispersed state of gold (85.6 eV peaks in XPS). Small clusters also developed in rhodium containing samples besides the pure metallic state. Upon CO adsorption on Rh/titanate nanostructures the IR stretching frequencies characteristic of twin form were dominant, whereas bimetallic nanosystems featured a pronounced linear stretching vibration. By performing careful XPS, LEIS and SEM experiments, it was found that, for appropriate Au and Rh coverage, the Au almost completely covers the Rh nanoparticles. CO adsorbed on this surface may induce the surface reconstruction.