Pt based catalysts are widely used in heterogeneous catalysis and are of relevance to cracking of hydrocarbons to break C-H bonds and form alkenes and hydrogen. These alkenes are used as precursors to polymers and other high value chemicals. However, Pt suffers from coking in which carbon builds up on the surface due to over binding and decomposition of reaction intermediates. Alloying Pt into Cu to form single-atom alloys has been shown to provide enhanced reactivity over Cu, while keeping the selectivity of the Cu and not over binding of alkyl intermediates. Herein we report the activation of various C-H bonds through surface science studies using Temperature Programmed Desorption/Reaction with STM characterization of the alloy surface. These studies, along with previous characterization and reaction studies, allow us to further understand the reactivity and selectivity of this alloy at the single atom limit. These fundamental studies enable more rational design of heterogeneous PtCu catalysts at the single-atom limit.

PtCu single atom alloys for selective CH activation

256th National Meeting (2018)

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