Entropy-stabilized single-atom Pd catalysts via high-entropy fluorite oxide supports

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are highly sought after for their efficiency.
• Stabilizing SACs on traditional supports at high temperatures is challenging.
• Developing robust SACs is crucial for industrial catalytic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an entropy-driven strategy for stabilizing single-atom catalysts.
• To investigate the use of high-entropy fluorite oxides (HEFO) as a support for single-atom catalysts.
• To evaluate the catalytic performance and stability of the novel SACs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of single-atom palladium catalysts on high-entropy fluorite oxides (HEFO) using mechanical milling and calcination at 900°C.
• Characterization of the catalyst structure and bonding using advanced techniques.
• Evaluation of catalytic activity for CO oxidation and assessment of thermal/hydrothermal stability.

Main Results:

• Successfully stabilized single palladium atoms (Pd₁) on the HEFO support, forming stable Pd-O-M bonds.
• The Pd₁@HEFO catalyst demonstrated enhanced low-temperature CO oxidation activity compared to traditional Pd@CeO₂.
• The catalyst exhibited excellent resistance to thermal and hydrothermal degradation.

Conclusions:

• High-entropy materials provide a superior platform for stabilizing single-atom catalysts.
• The entropy-driven strategy offers a promising route for designing highly stable and active SACs.
• Pd₁@HEFO represents a significant advancement in the field of stable single-atom catalysis.