Thermally stable single-atom platinum-on-ceria catalysts via atom trapping

Catalysts based on single atoms of scarce precious metals can lead to more efficient use through enhanced reactivity and selectivity. However, single atoms on catalyst supports can be mobile and aggregate into nanoparticles when heated at elevated temperatures. High temperatures are detrimental to c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2016-07, Vol.353 (6295), p.150-154
Main Authors: Jones, John, Xiong, Haifeng, DeLaRiva, Andrew T., Peterson, Eric J., Pham, Hien, Challa, Sivakumar R., Qi, Gongshin, Oh, Se, Wiebenga, Michelle H., Hernández, Xavier Isidro Pereira, Wang, Yong, Datye, Abhaya K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aluminum oxide
Catalysis
Catalysts
Cerium oxide
Metal oxides
Nanoparticles
Platinum
Precious metals
Scientific Concepts
Surface area
Temperature
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Summary:Catalysts based on single atoms of scarce precious metals can lead to more efficient use through enhanced reactivity and selectivity. However, single atoms on catalyst supports can be mobile and aggregate into nanoparticles when heated at elevated temperatures. High temperatures are detrimental to catalyst performance unless these mobile atoms can be trapped. We used ceria powders having similar surface areas but different exposed surface facets. When mixed with a platinum/aluminum oxide catalyst and aged in air at 800°C, the platinum transferred to the ceria and was trapped. Polyhedral ceria and nanorods were more effective than ceria cubes at anchoring the platinum. Performing synthesis at high temperatures ensures that only the most stable binding sites are occupied, yielding a sinter-resistant, atomically dispersed catalyst.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.aaf8800