Doping of oxides for catalytic applications represents one of the most used strategies for improving their catalytic performance. Model catalyst systems for doped oxides that would contain the dopant atoms in a well-defined geometry allowing for investigation of relationships between structure and reactivity are however rare.
Here we report on preparation and structural properties of two-dimensional W-doped ceria on W(110) substrate. This model system adopts geometry of two-dimensional Ce6WO12 (100)-oriented thin film, including isolated W6+ ions that donate the charge to Ce3+ ions and act as high-valence dopants.
The system represents a model catalyst for prospective use in investigating the role of W6+ active sites in CeOx-WOx catalysts and high valence dopants in ceria in general.