Reaction-induced dynamic evolution of PtIn/SiO2 catalyst for propane dehydrogenation
Understanding the dynamic evolution of heterogeneous catalysts is crucial yet challenging for elucidating the structure-performance relationships and enabling rational catalyst design. Herein, we reveal that PtIn alloy clusters gradually evolve into Pt<sub>3</sub>In intermetallic in response to propylene, the product of propane dehydrogenation (PDH) reaction. Specifically, a PtIn<sub>1.0</sub>/SiO<sub>2</sub> catalyst has been fabricated, comprising sub-nanometric PtIn alloy clusters covered by an In<sup>0</sup> overlayer, with In<sup>3+</sup> species locating at the metal-support interface. During the PDH reaction propylene induces the evaporation of the In<sup>0</sup> overlayer, thereby exposing Pt sites. After an induction period, the evolved Pt<sub>3</sub>In intermetallic (average size ~1.3 nm) exhibits a C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub> productivity of 145 mol g<sub>Pt</sub><sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup>. The alloyed In<sup>0</sup> species effectively dilute Pt-Pt ensembles, enhancing propylene selectivity, while the interfacial In<sup>3+</sup> species inhibit aggregation of Pt<sub>3</sub>In intermetallic, ensuring excellent catalytic stability. These findings underscore the critical role of product molecules in shaping active site evolution at the atomic scale.
Authors
- Wenlong Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3925-772X)
- Wenjian Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9039-3618)
- Chengyuan Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8690-8698)
- Ruyang Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1823-6298)
- Tianci Xiao
- Xusheng Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2559-6106)
- Sunpei Hu
- Jie Zeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8812-0298)
- Yang Pan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9360-3809)
- Xu Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7577-4957)
- Han Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7865-4368)
- Wenjie Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4195-6351)
- Lijun Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0178-9280)
- Hongtao He
- Tao Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5182-8959)
- Yuandong Niu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3925-5310)
Institutions
- University of Science and Technology of China (CN)
- Anhui University (CN)
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CN)
- Hefei National Center for Physical Sciences at Nanoscale (CN)
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (CN)
- Anhui University of Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-06-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60153-1
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Catalysis and Oxidation Reactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.17
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- University of Science and Technology of China
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis
- Yulin University
- National Natural Science Foundation of China-Yunnan Joint Fund
- National Key Research and Development Program of China
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
- National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility
- Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy