Remarkable active-site dependent H2O promoting effect in CO oxidation

Shu Zhao, Fang Chen, Sibin Duan, Bin Shao, Tianbo Li, Hailian Tang, Qingquan Lin, Junying Zhang, Lin Li, Jiahui Huang, Nicolas Bion, Wei Liu, Hui Sun, Ai Qin Wang, Masatake Haruta, Botao Qiao, Jun Li, Jingyue Liu, Tao Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Scopus citations

Abstract

The interfacial sites of supported metal catalysts are often critical in determining their performance. Single-atom catalysts (SACs), with every atom contacted to the support, can maximize the number of interfacial sites. However, it is still an open question whether the single-atom sites possess similar catalytic properties to those of the interfacial sites of nanocatalysts. Herein, we report an active-site dependent catalytic performance on supported gold single atoms and nanoparticles (NPs), where CO oxidation on the single-atom sites is dramatically promoted by the presence of H2O whereas on NPs’ interfacial sites the promoting effect is much weaker. The remarkable H2O promoting effect makes the Au SAC two orders of magnitude more active than the commercial three-way catalyst. Theoretical studies reveal that the dramatic promoting effect of water on SACs originates from their unique local atomic structure and electronic properties that facilitate an efficient reaction channel of CO + OH.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number3824
JournalNature communications
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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