Thermally Optimized Chemical Vapor Deposition of Iron and Cobalt on Pd-Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide for Atomic-Scale Catalytic Interface Engineering

Mehravar, Samira; Khodadadi, Abbas Ali; Fatemi, Shohreh; Mortazavi, Yadollah

doi:10.24200/sci.2025.67398.10594

Thermally Optimized Chemical Vapor Deposition of Iron and Cobalt on Pd-Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide for Atomic-Scale Catalytic Interface Engineering

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Samira Mehravar

Abbas Ali Khodadadi

Shohreh Fatemi

Yadollah Mortazavi

School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155/4563, Tehran, Iran

10.24200/sci.2025.67398.10594

Abstract

This study investigates the catalytic mechanisms underlying the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co) on palladium-decorated reduced graphene oxide (Pd/rGO) compared to bare rGO. Pd nanoparticles (~9.37 nm) on rGO significantly enhance precursor decomposition and catalyst formation. Temperature-resolved gas-phase Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy tracked ferrocene and cobaltocene decomposition, revealing distinct optimal temperature windows—termed Frontier Thermal Bulwarks (FTBs)—for Fe (100–270 °C) and Co (40–140 °C) deposition. Pd/rGO exhibited earlier onset of gas-phase precursor decomposition (~100 °C for Fe and ~40 °C for Co) and higher C–H stretching band intensities than rGO, highlighting Pd’s role in efficient H₂ dissociation and ligand activation. Unique spectral features, including 1037/1094 cm⁻¹ peaks for cobaltocene, correspond to specific intermediate species arising from its 19-electron instability. The selective CVD on Pd/rGO promotes intimate Fe/Co-Pd interactions, which may enhance catalytic performance while minimizing precious metal usage. These findings provide key insights for optimizing CVD conditions in the development of advanced nanostructured catalysts for energy and environmental applications.

Keywords

Palladium Nanoparticles

Ferrocene

Cobaltocene

Reduced Graphene Oxide

Selective Chemical Vapor Deposition

Gas-FTIR Monitoring

Subjects