Highly active and stable Ir nanoclusters derived from Ir₁/MgAl₂O₄ single-atom catalysts

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Single-atom catalysts (SACs) offer high stability but limited activity due to strong metal-support interactions.
• Developing nanoclusters or nanoparticles from SACs can enhance intrinsic catalytic activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare stable iridium single-atom catalysts (SACs) on MgAl2O4 using atomic trapping.
• To use these SACs as seeds for fabricating highly active and stable iridium nanocluster catalysts.

Main Methods:

• Atomic trapping method for preparing stable Ir SACs on MgAl2O4.
• High-temperature reduction to convert Ir SACs into Ir nanoclusters.
• Evaluation of catalytic activity for N2O decomposition.

Main Results:

• Extremely stable Ir SACs were successfully synthesized on MgAl2O4.
• Iridium nanocluster catalysts fabricated from Ir SAC seeds showed significantly enhanced activity.
• Catalytic activity for N2O decomposition increased over tenfold compared to parent Ir SACs.

Conclusions:

• Using stable SACs as seeds is an effective strategy to design highly active catalysts.
• The developed Ir nanocluster catalysts demonstrate potential for industrial applications in N2O decomposition.
• This approach offers a new pathway for creating advanced, stable, and active catalysts.