Ab initio thermodynamic evaluation of Pd atom interaction with CeO ₂ surfaces

Palladium supported on ceria is an effective catalytic material for three-way automotive catalysis, catalytic combustion, and solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes. The morphology, oxidation state, and particle size of Pd on ceria affect catalytic activity and are a function of experimental conditions. This work utilizes ab initio thermodynamics using density functional theory (DFT) (DFT+U) methods to evaluate the stability of Pd atoms, PdO_x species, and small Pd particles in varying configurations on CeO₂ (111), (110), and (100) single crystal surfaces. Over specific oxygen partial pressure and temperature ranges, palladium incorporation to form a mixed surface oxide is thermodynamically favorable versus other single Pd atom states on each ceria surface. For example, Pd atoms may incorporate into Ce fluorite lattice positions in a Pd4+ oxidation state on the CeO₂ (111) surface. The ceria support shifts the transition between formal Pd oxidation states (Pd ⁰, Pd²⁺, Pd⁴⁺) relative to bulk palladium and stabilizes certain oxidized palladium species on each surface. We show that temperature, oxygen pressure, and cell potential in a SOFC can influence the stable states of palladium supported on ceria surfaces, providing insight into structural stability during catalytic operation.