Epitaxial stabilization of face selective catalysts

James A. Enterkin, Robert M. Kennedy, Junling Lu, Jeffrey W. Elam, Russell E. Cook, Laurence D. Marks, Peter C. Stair, Christopher L. Marshall*, Kenneth R. Poeppelmeier

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Selective, active, and robust catalysts are necessary for the efficient utilization of new feedstocks. Face-selective catalysts can precisely modify catalytic properties, but are often unstable under reaction conditions, changing shape and losing selectivity. Herein we report a method for synthesizing stable heterogeneous catalysts in which the morphology and selectivity can be tuned precisely and predictably. Using nanocrystal supports, we epitaxially stabilize specific active phase morphologies. This changes the distribution of active sites of different coordination, which have correspondingly different catalytic properties. Specifically, we utilize the different interfacial free-energies between perovskite titanate nanocube supports with different crystal lattice dimensions and a platinum active phase. By substituting different sized cations into the support, we change the lattice mismatch between the support and the active phase, thereby changing the interfacial free-energy, and stabilizing the active phase in different morphologies in a predictable manner. We correlate these changes in active phase atomic coordination with changes in catalytic performance (activity and selectivity), using the hydrogenation of acrolein as a test reaction. The method is general and can be applied to many nanocrystal supports and active phase combinations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1829-1834
Number of pages6
JournalTopics in Catalysis
Volume56
Issue number18-20
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013

Funding

Acknowledgments The authors thank Mihai Anitescu for assistance with the statistical analysis. This work was funded in part by Institute for Atom-efficient Chemical Transformations, an Energy Frontier Research Center, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences; and in part by the Northwestern University Institute for Catalysis in Energy Processing, funded through the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Science (award number DE-FG02-03-ER15457). The electron microscopy was accomplished at the Electron Microscopy Center for Materials Research at Argonne National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science Laboratory operated under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357 by UChicago Argonne, LLC.

Keywords

  • Acrolein
  • Epitaxy
  • Heterogeneous catalysis
  • Hydrogenation
  • Perovskite
  • Platinum

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Epitaxial stabilization of face selective catalysts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this