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Unlocking synergy in bimetallic catalysts by core-shell design.

Authors :
van der Hoeven JES
Jelic J
Olthof LA
Totarella G
van Dijk-Moes RJA
Krafft JM
Louis C
Studt F
van Blaaderen A
de Jongh PE
Source :
Nature materials [Nat Mater] 2021 Sep; Vol. 20 (9), pp. 1216-1220. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 May 06.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Extending the toolbox from mono- to bimetallic catalysts is key in realizing efficient chemical processes <superscript>1</superscript> . Traditionally, the performance of bimetallic catalysts featuring one active and one selective metal is optimized by varying the metal composition <superscript>1-3</superscript> , often resulting in a compromise between the catalytic properties of the two metals <superscript>4-6</superscript> . Here we show that by designing the atomic distribution of bimetallic Au-Pd nanocatalysts, we obtain a synergistic catalytic performance in the industrially relevant selective hydrogenation of butadiene. Our single-crystalline Au-core Pd-shell nanorods were up to 50 times more active than their alloyed and monometallic counterparts, while retaining high selectivity. We find a shell-thickness-dependent catalytic activity, indicating that not only the nature of the surface but also several subsurface layers play a crucial role in the catalytic performance, and rationalize this finding using density functional theory calculations. Our results open up an alternative avenue for the structural design of bimetallic catalysts.<br /> (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1476-4660
Volume :
20
Issue :
9
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Nature materials
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33958769
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-021-00996-3