A diagram depicting the proposed phase-transition process from Pd to PdZn. Atom key: Pd (dark green), O (red), H (white), and Zn (gray). [Image by IMR]

Intermetallic materials are novel and highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts due to their well-defined structures and tunable compositions. However, despite enormous efforts to acquire supported PdZn intermetallic catalysts in a controllable fashion, there is a lack of convincing evidence about the key elementary steps associated with the intermetallic process. Thus, mechanistic clarification and rational design of catalysts are hindered.

Usually, the formation of PdZn is investigated under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions based on some model systems. However, considering the very different chemical environment and material gap between the model and real systems, a study on technologically applied PdZn supported catalysts under working conditions is necessary to gain insightful understanding regarding the real intermetallic process. Especially understanding the details about microstructural evolution of the PdZn intermetallic at nano or atomic scales remains challenging. Furthermore, the role of H2 in formation of the bimetallic alloy has not been rationalized. Visualization of the formation of the active species with high spatial resolution will contribute to fundamental studies as well as practical applications.

Recently, Prof. Zhang Bingsen, Prof. Su Dangsheng from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. Zhang Wei from Jilin University and Dr. Liu Xi from Synfuels China Technology Co., Ltd., studied the PdZn phase transitions under realistic catalytic conditions by using the in-situ TEM gas-heating holder (DENSsolutions Climate) with home-made gas control systems. They present the first atomic-scale visualization of a complete phase transition from Pd/PdHx to PdZn on a ZnO support under an H2 atmosphere, which has been systematically analyzed by integrating in-situ TEM, EELS, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. Significantly, the interfacial PdHx species were generated quickly under an H2 atmosphere and at elevated temperature these species were identified as key intermediates in the following transformation. Subsequently, a consecutive phase transition started at the PdHx/ZnO interface at higher temperature, then proceeded along the PdHx <111> direction until the whole NP was converted to the PdZn structure.

This work not only discloses detailed microstructural information in reference to catalyst activation, but also sheds light on the rational design and optimal synthesis of intermetallic composite catalysts.

The results were published on  Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201812292). Niu Yiming and Dr. Liu Xi contributed equally to this work.

For more information, please contact:

Prof. Zhang Binsen

Institute of Metal Research

E-mail: bszhang@imr.ac.cn