Intermetallics in catalysis: An exciting subset of multimetallic catalysts

• Published in: Catalysis today Vol. 330; pp. 2 - 15
• Main Authors: Dasgupta, Anish, Rioux, Robert M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.06.2019
• Subjects: Active site; Alloy; Catalysis; Intermetallics; Pd-Zn; Selective hydrogenation; Site isolation; Selective hydrogenation; Active site; Site isolation; Intermetallics; Pd-Zn; Catalysis; Alloy
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2018.05.048

[Display omitted] •Introduction to intermetallics as model catalysts for important chemistries.•Review of intermetallic nano-crystal synthesis methods and current challenges.•Discussion on proper characterization of the catalytic multi-metallic surface.•Review of applications of intermetallic catalysts and advantage over pure metals. In this article, we highlight the growing application of intermetallic compounds in heterogeneous catalysis. We clearly discuss intermetallics as distinct from other multi-metallic systems (such as alloys, surface modifiers and dopants). Intermetallics possess a number of attributes over random alloys (i.e., solid solutions) and serve as model catalysts for a number of industrially relevant reactions. We review a variety of methods used for the synthesis of a large number of intermetallic compounds and discuss how standard material characterization techniques can be extended to intermetallics to gain important insight regarding active site morphology, a critical metric in heterogeneous catalyst design. We further summarize the use of intermetallics in understanding changes in reactivity and selectivity due to geometric and electronic effects, with emphasis on determining compositional and structural factors of the active site. We conclude with a brief summary of avenues for future advances in the field and its potential to contribute to environment and economy.