Unlocking synergy in bimetallic catalysts by core–shell design

J.E. S van der Hoeven, J.E.S., Jelic, J., Olthof, C. Louis, F. Studt, A. van Blaaderen, P. E. de Jongh Nature Materials (2021) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-021-00996-3 Reproduced with permission from Springer Nature

The paper demonstrates that by designing the atomic distribution of bimetallic Au–Pd nanocatalysts, a synergistic catalytic performance in the industrially relevant selective hydrogenation of butadiene is obtained. The work headed by Prof Petra de Jongh is a collaboration between Utrecht University and KIT. The single-crystalline Au-core Pd-shell nanorods were up to 50 times more active than their alloyed and monometallic counterparts, while retaining high selectivity. The effect was ascribed to a shell-thickness, indicating that not only the nature of the surface but also several subsurface layers play a crucial role in the catalytic performance, and was rationalized using density functional theory calculations. Full work can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-021-00996-3