Alumina-Titania Nanolaminate Condensers for Hot Programmable Catalysis

Nanolaminates composed of thin alternating layers of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ (ATO) were engineered by using atomic layer deposition as the dielectric material for a Pt-on-carbon catalytic condenser. Investigation assessed synthesis parameters including the deposition temperature, Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ layer thicknesses, total number of layers, and a capping Al₂O₃ layer on the maximum charge accumulation in the Pt catalyst. The highest capacitance ATO configuration demonstrated a specific capacitance of ∼1200 nF/cm² with working voltages of ±5 V, enabling the storage of 4 × 10¹³ electrons or holes per cm² at room temperature. The ATO devices exhibited enhanced capacitance at elevated temperatures of up to 400 °C, suggesting the suitability of these materials for high-temperature applications. Adsorption of carbon monoxide on the Pt/C-ATO device characterized by grazing incidence infrared spectroscopy showed changes in the surface binding energy of 13.1 ± 0.8 kJ/mol for an applied external voltage bias of ±1 V.