Perovskite-supported Pt single atoms for methane activation

Abstract

ABO₃ perovskites are increasingly being explored as catalysts, but it is unclear how they behave as supports for single atoms and how the subsequent single-atom catalysts can be employed for important reactions such as methane activation. Here we examine the stability of Pt single atoms (Pt₁) on the commonly exposed (100) surfaces of SrBO₃ perovskites (B = 3d transition metals) and their methane-adsorption properties by first principles density functional theory. We find that the stability and charge state of Pt₁ on the SrBO₃(100) surfaces are termination-sensitive. Due to polar compensation, Pt₁ is negatively charged on the A termination but positively charged on the B termination. This charge state greatly impacts methane adsorption: negatively charged Pt₁ on the A-termination chemisorbs methane (in some cases, dissociatively), but positively charged Pt₁ on the B-termination adsorbs methane physically. Analysis of the density of states of the negatively charged Pt₁ reveals that its sp states are key to methane chemisorption and C–H activation. Our work shows that polar compensation on the perovskite surfaces can be used to tune the charge state of a single atom for methane chemisorption and C–H activation.