Understanding the Active Sites of CO Hydrogenation on Pt–Co Catalysts Prepared Using Atomic Layer Deposition

The production of liquid fuels and industrial feedstocks from renewable carbon sources is an ongoing scientific challenge. Using atomic layer deposition together with conventional techniques, we synthesize Pt–Co bimetallic catalysts that show improvement for syngas conversion to alcohols. By combining reaction testing, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and in situ infrared spectroscopy experiments, supported by density functional theory calculations, we uncover insights into how Pt modulates the selectivity of Co catalysts. The prepared Pt–Co catalysts demonstrate increased selectivity toward methanol and low molecular weight hydrocarbons as well as a modest increase in selectivity toward higher alcohols. The in situ infrared spectroscopic measurements suggest that these changes in selectivity result from an interplay between linear and bridging carbon monoxide configurations on the catalyst surface.