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Thermally Stable and Regenerable Platinum–Tin Clusters for Propane Dehydrogenation Prepared by Atom Trapping on Ceria
Author(s) -
Xiong Haifeng,
Lin Sen,
Goetze Joris,
Pletcher Paul,
Guo Hua,
Kovarik Libor,
Artyushkova Kateryna,
Weckhuysen Bert M.,
Datye Abhaya K.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201701115
Subject(s) - dehydrogenation , catalysis , propane , platinum , tin , reactivity (psychology) , alkane , bimetallic strip , chemistry , materials science , inorganic chemistry , photochemistry , organic chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Ceria (CeO 2 ) supports are unique in their ability to trap ionic platinum (Pt), providing exceptional stability for isolated single atoms of Pt. The reactivity and stability of single‐atom Pt species was explored for the industrially important light alkane dehydrogenation reaction. The single‐atom Pt/CeO 2 catalysts are stable during propane dehydrogenation, but are not selective for propylene. DFT calculations show strong adsorption of the olefin produced, leading to further unwanted reactions. In contrast, when tin (Sn) is added to CeO 2 , the single‐atom Pt catalyst undergoes an activation phase where it transforms into Pt–Sn clusters under reaction conditions. Formation of small Pt–Sn clusters allows the catalyst to achieve high selectivity towards propylene because of facile desorption of the product. The CeO 2 ‐supported Pt–Sn clusters are very stable, even during extended reaction at 680 °C. Coke formation is almost completely suppressed by adding water vapor to the feed. Furthermore, upon oxidation the Pt–Sn clusters readily revert to the atomically dispersed species on CeO 2 , making Pt–Sn/CeO 2 a fully regenerable catalyst.