Hydrogen insertion in Pd core/Pt shell cubo-octahedral nanoparticles

cited By 12We report a theoretical density functional theory study of the absorption and adsorption of hydrogen in Pd core/Pt shell cubo-octahedral nanoparticles of 55 and 147 atoms. We have explored all the possible sites available for hydrogen loading. The relative stability of H in the different sites is calculated and discussed in terms of the local geometrical and chemical environments. As a general trend, the most stable absorption sites are pyramidal interstices at the interface offering a volume for H around 2×2.60 3, with a moderate atomic rearrangement upon H insertion and in which the H atom maximizes the number of Pd neighbors. Our theoretical findings give support to the recent hydrogen pressure-composition isotherms and NMR measurements carried out in this type of bimetallic nanoparticle. © 2011 American Physical Society