The interaction of rutile (TiO2) surface with some catalytically active transition metal oxides during heating, studied by electrochemical methods

The interaction of the surface of a rutile monocrystal (110 oriented) with the oxides of some transition metals (V, Mo, Cr, Mn and Nb) during heating of the crystal with these oxides was investigated by electrochemical methods. In all cases insertion of the metal atoms in the rutile surface was observed, the degree of insertion depending strongly on the metal in question and the conditions of experiment. The interaction of rutile surface with metal oxides changes dramatically the conditions of charge transfer at the rutile surface, which may influence the course of catalytic reactions occurring at the surface of rutile-supported transition metal oxide catalysts.