Activation of subnanometric Pt on Cu-modified CeO₂ via redox-coupled atomic layer deposition for CO oxidation

Improving the low-temperature activity (below 100 °C) and noble-metal efficiency of automotive exhaust catalysts has been a continuous effort to eliminate cold-start emissions, yet great challenges remain. Here we report a strategy to activate the low-temperature performance of Pt catalysts on Cu-modified CeO₂ supports based on redox-coupled atomic layer deposition. The interfacial reducibility and structure of composite catalysts have been precisely tuned by oxide doping and accurate control of Pt size. Cu-modified CeO₂-supported Pt sub-nanoclusters demonstrate a remarkable performance with an onset of CO oxidation reactivity below room temperature, which is one order of magnitude more active than atomically-dispersed Pt catalysts. The Cu-O-Ce site with activated lattice oxygen anchors deposited Pt sub-nanoclusters, leading to a moderate CO adsorption strength at the interface that facilitates the low-temperature CO oxidation performance.