Blurring the boundary between homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis using palladium nanoclusters with dynamic surfaces.

ABSTRACT: Using a magnetron sputtering approach that allows size-controlled formation of nanoclusters, we have created palladium nanoclusters that combine the features of both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Here we report the atomic structures and electronic environments of a series of metal nanoclusters in ionic liquids at different stages of formation, leading to the discovery of Pd nanoclusters with a core of ca. 2 nm surrounded by a diffuse dynamic shell of atoms in [C₄C₁Im][NTf₂]. Comparison of the catalytic activity of Pd nanoclusters in alkene cyclopropanation reveals that the atomically dynamic surface is critically important, increasing the activity by a factor of ca. 2 when compared to compact nanoclusters of similar size. Catalyst poisoning tests

SUBMITTER: Cano I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8371125 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature