Density Functional Theory Calculations of Oxygen Vacancy Formation and Subsequent Molecular Adsorption on Oxide Surfaces

The surface oxygen vacancy formation energy (EOvac) is an important parameter in determining the catalytic activity of metal oxides. Estimating these energies can therefore lead to data-driven design of promising catalyst candidates. In the present study, we determine EOvac for various insulating and semiconducting oxides. Statistical investigations indicate that the band gap, bulk formation energy, and electron affinity are factors that strongly influence EOvac. Electrons enter defect states after O desorption, and these states can be in the valence band, mid-gap, or in the conduction band. Subsequent adsorption of O2, NO, CO, CO2, and H2 molecules on an O-deficient surface is also investigated. These molecules become preferentially adsorbed at the defect sites, and EOvac is identified as the dominant factor that determines the adsorption mode as well as a descriptor that shows good correlation with the adsorption energy.