Unravelling the origin of reaction-driven aggregation and fragmentation of atomically dispersed Pt catalyst on ceria support

Metal-support interaction plays a crucial role in governing the stability and activity of atomically dispersed platinum catalysts on ceria support. The migration and aggregation of platinum atoms during the catalytic reaction leads to the redistribution of active sites. In this study, by utilizing a multimodal characterization scheme, we observed the aggregation of platinum atoms at high temperatures under reverse water gas shift reaction conditions and the subsequent fragmentation of platinum clusters, forming “single atoms” upon cooling. Theoretical simulations of both effects uncovered the roles of carbon monoxide binding on perimeter Pt sites in the clusters and hydrogen coverage in the aggregation and fragmentation mechanisms. This study highlights the complex effects of adsorbate and supports interactions with metal sites in Pt/ceria catalysts that govern their structural transformations under in situ conditions.