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Pt/Cu single-atom alloys as coke-resistant catalysts for efficient C–H activation

Marcinkowski, MD; Darby, MT; Jilei, L; Wimble, JM; Lucci, FR; Lee, S; Michaelides, A; ... Sykes, ECH; + view all (2018) Pt/Cu single-atom alloys as coke-resistant catalysts for efficient C–H activation. Nature Chemistry , 10 pp. 325-332. 10.1038/nchem.2915. Green open access

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Abstract

The recent availability of shale gas has led to a renewed interest in C–H bond activation as the first step towards the synthesis of fuels and fine chemicals. Heterogeneous catalysts based on Ni and Pt can perform this chemistry, but deactivate easily due to coke formation. Cu-based catalysts are not practical due to high C–H activation barriers, but their weaker binding to adsorbates offers resilience to coking. Using Pt/Cu single-atom alloys (SAAs), we examine C–H activation in a number of systems including methyl groups, methane and butane using a combination of simulations, surface science and catalysis studies. We find that Pt/Cu SAAs activate C–H bonds more efficiently than Cu, are stable for days under realistic operating conditions, and avoid the problem of coking typically encountered with Pt. Pt/Cu SAAs therefore offer a new approach to coke-resistant C–H activation chemistry, with the added economic benefit that the precious metal is diluted at the atomic limit.

Type: Article
Title: Pt/Cu single-atom alloys as coke-resistant catalysts for efficient C–H activation
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2915
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nchem.2915
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Heterogeneous catalysis, Nanoscale materials, Scanning probe microscopy
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Chemical Engineering
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Physics and Astronomy
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10038580
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