Our group has in-situ prepared well-dispersed PtMn intermetallic sub-nanocluster catalysts on Mn-doped mesoporous alumina, which exhibit much higher propane dehydrogenation activity than unmodified Pt catalysts. The Mn-doped mesoporous alumina can effectively anchor the active Pt species and significantly improve the dispersion of its active sites. During the reaction, PtMn bimetallic sub-nanoclusters are formed in-situ, which enhances the ability of Pt catalysts to activate C-H bonds and effectively inhibits the agglomeration and sintering of Pt sites. In addition, the in-situ generated PtMn bimetallic sub-nanoclusters can improve the electron-donating ability of Mn, thereby increasing the electron density of Pt active sites, effectively promoting the desorption of the product propylene, and facilitating the transfer of coke deposition sites from metal active sites to the support. As a result, the PtMn catalyst shows excellent activity and stability in the propane dehydrogenation reaction. This work has been published in ACS Applied Nano Materials.

The article links: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsanm.4c03174