|
Abstract
|
We have studied the adsorption of SO2 molecule on the pristine and nitrogen-doped Au decorated
TiO 2 nanoparticles using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, taking into attention van
der Waals (vdW) interactions. Theoretically, it was found that SO2 molecule adsorbs on the Au
decorated TiO2 in a bridge geometry. The adsorption of SO2 molecule on both the Au and TiO2 sides
were considered. On the TiO2 side, the ̄vefold coordinated titanium sites were found to be the most
stable binding sites, providing double contacting point between the nanoparticle and SO2 . The
results suggest that the adsorption of SO2 on the N-doped Au decorated TiO2 is more energetically
favorable than the adsorption on the pristine one. Thus, nitrogen doping is dominant during the
adsorption of SO2 . The changes in the electronic structure of the system and the net charge transfer
upon adsorption of SO2 molecule were studied in detail. Also, HOMO–LUMO isosurfaces of the
adsorption systems were presented for discussion of results. By considering large overlaps in the
projected density of states (PDOSs) of the interacting atoms, we found that the molecule is bound
most strongly to the Au and ̄vefold coordinated titanium positions. The inclusion of vdW inter-
actions is important for obtaining ̄nal equilibrium adsorption con ̄gurations of SO2 on Au deco-
rated TiO2 nanoparticles. Our results thus suggest that N-doped Au decorated TiO2 would be an
e±cient sensor for SO2 gas detection in the environment.
|