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Atomic Structure

Atomic Structure

Atomic Mass

Atomic Mass

Atoms — and the protons, neutrons, and electrons that compose them — are extremely small. For example, a carbon atom weighs less than 2 × 10−23 g. When describing the properties of tiny objects such as atoms, we use appropriately small units of measure, such as the atomic mass unit (amu). The amu was originally defined based on hydrogen, the lightest element, then later in terms of oxygen. Since 1961, it has been defined with regard to the most abundant isotope of carbon, atoms of which...

Atomic Orbitals

Atomic Orbitals

An atomic orbital represents the three-dimensional regions in an atom where an electron has the highest probability to reside. The radial distribution function indicates the total probability of finding an electron within the thin shell at a distance r from the nucleus. The atomic orbitals have distinct shapes which are determined by l, the angular momentum quantum number. The orbitals are often drawn with a boundary surface, enclosing densest regions of the cloud.

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

The mathematical expression known as the wave function, ψ, contains information about each orbital and the wavelike properties of electrons in an isolated atom. When atoms are bound together in a molecule, the wave functions combine to produce new mathematical descriptions that have different shapes. This process of combining the wave functions for atomic orbitals is called hybridization and is mathematically accomplished by the linear combination of atomic orbitals. The new orbitals that...

Atomic Spectroscopy: Effects of Temperature

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Atomization, converting samples into gas-phase atoms and ions, is essential for atomic spectroscopy. The flame temperature required for atomization affects the efficiency of the atomic spectroscopic methods by increasing the atomization efficiency and the relative population of the excited and ground states.
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature...

The Energies of Atomic Orbitals

The Energies of Atomic Orbitals

In an atom, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus. In a multielectron atom, electron-electron repulsions are also observed. The attractive and repulsive forces are dependent on the distance between the particles, as well as the sign and magnitude of the charges on the individual particles. When the charges on the particles are opposite, they attract each other. If both particles have the same charge, they repel each other.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation

Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation

Published on: July 18, 2017

Current-assisted dual-atom catalyst sequentially boosts low-temperature propane combustion through atomic relay.

Yangfei Fang^1,2, Xinyu Han^1,2, Kaijie Liu^3,4

¹School of Rare Earths, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.

Nature Chemistry

|January 26, 2026

Summary

A new dual-atom platinum-niobium catalyst efficiently activates propane at low temperatures. This current-assisted strategy enhances catalytic activity, reduces precious metal use, and offers a promising approach for green catalysis.

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Area of Science:

Catalysis
Materials Science
Chemical Engineering

Background:

Single-atom catalysts offer high atomic utilization but struggle with diverse functional sites for complex reactions.
Low-carbon alkanes, like propane, present challenges due to high C-H bond energies in combustion processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel dual-atom catalyst for efficient low-temperature propane activation and combustion.
To investigate a current-assisted strategy to overcome limitations of single-atom catalysts in multistep combustion.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of a dual-atom platinum-niobium (Pt-Nb) catalyst supported on antimony tin oxide.
Utilized a current-assisted strategy to enhance catalytic performance.
Conducted in situ experiments and theoretical simulations to elucidate the reaction mechanism.

Main Results:

Achieved complete propane conversion at temperatures below 200°C (T90 < 200°C).
Demonstrated a high turnover frequency of 27.67 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ at 220°C.
Exhibited excellent water resistance and reduced precious metal loading by over 80% with current assistance.

Conclusions:

The dual-atom Pt-Nb catalyst with current assistance facilitates C-H bond dissociation and CO2 desorption.
The electric current promotes lattice oxygen activation and release via a stepwise-boosting, current-assisted atomic relay mechanism.
This approach presents a viable strategy for developing advanced, cost-effective green catalysts for alkane combustion.