New study reveals hidden diversity in single-atom catalysts

An international collaboration led by NCCR Catalysis groups has demonstrated, for the first time, that not all single atoms in single-atom catalysts are alike. Researchers from ETH Zurich, CRMN Lyon, and Aarhus University applied solid-state platinum NMR spectroscopy to distinguish the distinct local environments of platinum atoms dispersed on various supports.

The study reveals that materials that appear identical by transmission electron microscopy can exhibit a range of coordination environments at the atomic level, with direct implications for their catalytic performance. The researchers further demonstrated how different synthesis protocols and supports influence the nature and evolution of active sites during catalyst evaluation, offering new insights into catalyst stability.

This advance was made possible through close collaboration across institutions and disciplines, combining synthesis, advanced spectroscopy, and theory. The findings mark a major step toward atomic-scale understanding and precision design in heterogeneous catalysis.

In the video, NCCR Catalysis members, including Prof. Javier Pérez-Ramírez, Prof. Christophe Copéret, Dr. Sharon Mitchell, Dr. Alexander Yakimov, Marc-Eduard Usteri (ETH Zurich), and Dr. Jonas Koppe (CRMN Lyon), share their perspectives on this exciting breakthrough in the description of single-atom catalysts.