Platinum-Based Catalysis in Zeolite Systems

Platinum-based catalysts supported on zeolite frameworks combine the unique acidity and confinement effects of molecular sieves with the redox and hydrogenation–dehydrogenation capabilities of platinum species. The zeolite topology imposes shape selectivity, steering reaction pathways towards desired isomers or intermediates while suppressing undesired by-products. Platinum entities ranging from subnanometric clusters to atomically dispersed ions interact synergistically with Brønsted acid sites to activate C–H and H–H bonds with high turnover frequency. Control over metal dispersion, oxidation state and proximity to acid sites enables precise tuning of activity and selectivity. Recent advances have focused on hierarchical pore architectures to overcome diffusion limitations, encapsulation strategies to stabilise single atoms and operando studies that probe active-site evolution under working conditions. Practical applications span alkane dehydrogenation for olefin production, hydroisomerisation for fuel upgrading, selective oxidation of volatile organic compounds and NOx abatement. Progress in this field is driven by deeper insights into metal–support interactions within confined environments and the development of robust synthesis methods for highly dispersed, durable platinum species.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that embedding platinum single sites within silicalite-1 matrices achieves unprecedented turnover frequencies in propane dehydrogenation, owing to strong metal–support synergy and site isolation that prevent sintering. Another investigation has revealed the reversible redispersion of subnanometre platinum clusters within hierarchical ZSM-5 channels under reaction conditions, correlating restructuring dynamics with framework acidity and elucidating pathways to preserve high activity during cyclic operation. A further report employed operando spectroscopy to map the oxidation–reduction cycles of platinum particles in zeolite Beta during CO oxidation, offering atomistic insight into active-site transformations and guiding the rational design of more stable catalysts.

Platinum-Based Catalysis in Zeolite Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in platinum-based catalysis in zeolite systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Zeolite: Crystalline aluminosilicate material with a uniform microporous structure used as a catalyst support.

Brønsted acidity: Proton-donating sites within the zeolite framework that facilitate carbocationic intermediate formation.

Single-atom catalyst: Catalyst in which individual metal atoms are dispersed on a support, maximising atom efficiency and enabling unique active sites.

Hierarchical porosity: Combination of micro- and mesopores within a material to enhance mass transport and reduce diffusion limitations.

Turnover frequency (TOF): Number of substrate molecules converted per active site per unit time, indicating intrinsic catalytic activity.

References

1. EFFECT OF ZRO2 , WO3 ADDITIVES ON CATALYTIC PERFORMANCE OF PT/HY ZEOLITE COMPARED WITH PT/Γ-AL2O3 FOR IRAQI NAPHTHA TRANSFORMATION. The Journal of Engineering (2009).