PNNL

Abstract

The understanding of the atomic-scale structural and chemical ordering in supported nanosized alloy particles is fundamental for achieving active catalysts by design. This report shows how such knowledge can be obtained by a combination of techniques including x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation based x-ray fine structure absorption spectroscopy and high-energy x-ray diffraction coupled to atomic pair distribution function analysis, and how the support-nanoalloy interaction influences the catalytic activity of a ternary nanoalloy (platinum-nickel-cobalt) particles on three different supports: carbon, silica and titania. The reaction of carbon monoxide with oxygen is employed as a probe of the catalytic activity. This ternary composition, in combination with the different support materials, is demonstrated to be capable of fine-tuning the catalytic activity and stability. The support-nanoalloy interaction is shown to influence structural and chemical ordering in the nanoparticles, leading to support-tunable active sites on the nanoalloys for oxygen activation in the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide. A nickel/cobalt-tuned catalytic site on the surface of nanoalloy was revealed for oxygen activation, which differs from the traditional oxygen-activation sites known for oxide-supported noble metal catalysts. The discovery of such support-nanoalloy interaction enabled oxygen-activation sites introduces a very promising strategy for designing active catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis.