DFT-D2 simulations of water adsorption and dissociation on the low-index surfaces of mackinawite (FeS)

The adsorption and dissociation of water on mackinawite (layered FeS) surfaces were studied using dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D2) calculations. The catalytically active sites for H2O and its dissociated products on the FeS {001}, {011}, {100}, and {111} surfaces were determined, and the reaction energetics and kinetics of water dissociation were calculated using the climbing image nudged elastic band technique. Water and its dissociation products are shown to adsorb more strongly onto the least stable FeS{111} surface, which presents low-coordinated cations in the surface, and weakest onto the most stable FeS{001} surface. The adsorption energies decrease in the order FeS{111} > FeS{100} > FeS{011} > FeS{001}. Consistent with the superior reactivity of the FeS{111} surface towards water and its dissociation products, our calculated thermochemical energies and activation barriers suggest that the water dissociation reaction will take place preferentially on the FeS nanoparticle surface with the {111} orientation. These findings improve our understanding of how the different FeS surface structures and the relative stabilities dictate their reactivity towards water adsorption and dissociation.