Ultra-small Mo–Pt subnanoparticles enable CO2 hydrogenation at room temperature and atmospheric pressure

Abstract

We present a partially-oxidised bimetallic Mo–Pt subnanoparticle (Mo₄Pt₈O_x) enabling thermally-driven CO₂ hydrogenation to CO at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. A mechanistic study explained the full catalytic cycle of the reaction from CO₂ activation to catalyst reactivation. DFT calculations revealed that alloying with Mo lowers the activation barrier by weakening the CO adsorption. This finding could be a first step for low-energy CO₂ conversion.