We investigate the interaction between molecular hydrogen and ultrathin epitaxial CeO2 films modified with a 2% concentration of Cu atoms using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) during thermal reduction cycles in H2. The XPS measurements are combined density functional theory calculations to obtain further insight into observed modifications film surface. Our results show that presence dec...

The chemistry of the lanthanide and actinide elements remains the last great frontier of the periodic table. While many main group and transition metal elements have been known from antiquity, it was not until the late 20 th century that the lanthanides found ready industrial and commercial applications as phosphors, optical coatings, polishing agents, and catalytic applications. This dissertat...