Premium
A Supported Nickel Catalyst Stabilized by a Surface Digging Effect for Efficient Methane Oxidation
Author(s) -
Zhou Huang,
Liu Tianyang,
Zhao Xuyan,
Zhao Yafei,
Lv Hongwei,
Fang Shi,
Wang Xiaoqian,
Zhou Fangyao,
Xu Qian,
Xu Jie,
Xiong Can,
Xue Zhenggang,
Wang Kai,
Cheong WengChon,
Xi Wei,
Gu Lin,
Yao Tao,
Wei Shiqiang,
Hong Xun,
Luo Jun,
Li Yafei,
Wu Yuen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201912785
Subject(s) - catalysis , nickel , methane , materials science , sintering , chemical engineering , digging , metal , sink (geography) , amorphous solid , nanoparticle , transmission electron microscopy , nanotechnology , metallurgy , chemistry , crystallography , organic chemistry , cartography , archaeology , engineering , history , geography
A surface digging effect of supported Ni NPs on an amorphous N‐doped carbon is described, during which the surface‐loaded Ni NPs would etch and sink into the underneath carbon support to prevent sintering. This process is driven by the strong coordination interaction between the surface Ni atoms and N‐rich defects. In the aim of activation of C−H bonds for methane oxidation, those sinking Ni NPs could be further transformed into thermodynamically stable and active metal‐defect sites within the as‐generated surface holes by simply elevating the temperature. In situ transmission electron microscopy images reveal the sunk Ni NPs dig themselves adaptive surface holes, which would largely prevent the migration of Ni NPs without weakening their accessibility. The reported two‐step strategy opens up a new route to manufacture sintering‐resistant supported metal catalysts without degrading their catalytic efficiency.