Origin of the Robust Catalytic Performance of Nanodiamond–Graphene-Supported Pt Nanoparticles Used in the Propane Dehydrogenation Reaction

Nanocarbon-supported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared and tested for the propane dehydrogenation reaction (PDH). The nanocarbon support is composed of a nanodiamond core and a defective, ultrathin graphene nanoshell (ND@G). The Pt/ND@G catalyst experienced slight deactivation during the 100 h PDH test, while the Pt/Al2O3 catalyst showed severe deactivation after the 20 h PDH test. Pt NPs exhibited superior sintering resistance versus that of the ND@G support. This particular support structure of ND@G allows electrons on the defects to transfer to the Pt NPs, leading to a strong metal–support interaction, which significantly prevents Pt NP sintering and promotes the desorption of electron-rich propylene. This electron transfer mechanism was also confirmed by a CO catalytic oxidation test.