Supported Single Pt1/Au1 Atoms for Methanol Steam Reforming

The single Pt1 and Au1 atoms stabilized by lattice oxygen on ZnO1010 surface for methanol steam reforming is reported. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the catalysis of the single precious metal atoms together with coordinated lattice oxygen stems from its stronger binding toward the intermediates, lowering reaction barriers, changing on the reaction pathway, enhancing greatly the activity. The measured turnover frequency of single Pt1 sites was more than 1000 times higher than the pristine ZnO. The results provide valuable insights for the catalysis of the atomically dispersed precious metals on oxide supports.