Perovskite Nanoparticle Surface Revealed by Sensitivity-Enhanced NMR Spectroscopy

DNP-NMR revealed the surface and substructure of LaScO3 nanoparticles, yielding an atomistic cross-section of the particle surface.

Scientific Achievement

The surface and subsurface structure of LaScO3 perovskite nanoparticles was determined using dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DNP-NMR).

Significance and Impact

Perovskite oxides catalyst supports that enable the catalyst-surface interaction to be tuned to limit particle sintering and catalyst deactivation. This structural detail enables the design of more resistant catalysts for polymer upcycling.

Research Details

  • Internuclear, surface-subsurface, distance measurements were used to count the number of Sc layers at the interface.
  • While the surface is terminated by a ScOx monolayer, 139La NMR revealed previously unrecognized surface La defects.

Zhao, T. Y.; Greenstein, E. P.; Peczak, I. L.; Poeppelmeier, K. R.; Perras, F. A. Observing the Surface Termination of LaScO3 Perovskite Using Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 23487-23496. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c07055

iCOUP, an EFRC Supported by Basic Energy Sciences

Work was performed at Ames National Laboratory and Northwestern University.