Self-sustained carbon monoxide oxidation oscillations on size-selected platinum nanoparticles at atmospheric pressure

Abstract

High-quality mass spectrometry data of the oscillatory behavior of CO oxidation on SiO₂ supported Pt-nanoparticles at atmospheric pressure have been acquired as a function of pressure, coverage, gas composition and nanoparticle size. The oscillations are self-sustained for several days at constant temperature, pressure and CO/O₂ ratio. The frequency of the oscillations is very well defined and increases over time. The oscillation frequency is furthermore strongly temperature dependent with increasing temperature resulting in increasing frequency. A plausible mechanism for the oscillations is proposed based on an oxidation–reduction cycle of the nanoparticles which change the rate of CO oxidation on the particles.