Pt-Fe nanoalloy: Structure evolution study and catalytic properties in water gas shift reaction

• Double complex salts decomposition to form alloys nanoparticles • Pt 0.5 Cu 0.5 , Pt 0.5 Fe 0.5 , Pt 0.33 Ag 0.67 , Pt 0.6 Au 0.4 nanoalloys were synthesized • Only Pt 0.5 Fe 0.5 nanopowder was catalytically active in water gas shift reaction (WGSR) • Pt-FeO x metal-oxide composite was inert in WGSR • Pt 0.5 Fe 0.5 is stable toward oxidation under WGSR conditions In the present work we studied the properties of Pt 0.5 Cu 0.5 , Pt 0.5 Fe 0.5 , Pt 0.33 Ag 0.67 , Pt 0.6 Au 0.4 nanoalloys in water gas shift (WGS) reaction for the first time. Cu, Fe, Ag, Au were chosen as modifiers due to the low catalytic activity in undesirable side reactions of carbon oxides methanation. Nanoalloys were synthesized via corresponding double complex salts decomposition, which provided the selective formation of bimetallic nanoparticles. A simulated reformate gas mixture, containing (vol.%) 10 CO, 15 CO 2 , 30 H 2 O and 45 H 2 , was used to evaluate the activity of these systems. Only Pt 0.5 Fe 0.5 nanopowder was active, while Pt-FeO x metal-oxide composite was inert. The positive effect of Pt-Fe alloying on WGS performance was also confirmed for silica supported catalysts. TG and XRD in situ analysis reveal that Pt 0.5 Fe 0.5 is stable toward oxidation under WGS reaction conditions (T < 350°C, reductive atmosphere), while Pt-FeO x undergoes partial reduction but without formation of Pt-Fe alloy nanoparticles.