Kinetics of H2 Adsorption at the Metal-Support Interface of Au/TiO2 Catalysts Probed by Broad Background IR Absorbance.

H2 adsorption on Au catalysts is weak and reversible, making it difficult to quantitatively study. We demonstrate H2 adsorption on Au/TiO2 catalysts results in electron transfer to the support, inducing shifts in the FTIR background. This broad background absorbance (BBA) signal is used to quantify H2 adsorption; adsorption equilibrium constants are comparable to volumetric adsorption measurements. H2 adsorption kinetics measured with the BBA show a lower Eapp value (23 kJ mol-1 ) for H2 adsorption than previously reported from proxy H/D exchange (33 kJ mol-1 ). We also identify a previously unreported H-O-H bending vibration associated with proton adsorption on electronically distinct Ti-OH metal-support interface sites, providing new insight into the nature and dynamics of H2 adsorption at the Au/TiO2 interface.