Catalysts synthesized by selective deposition of Fe onto Pt for the water-gas shift reaction

- Selective anchoring of Fe on Pt-nanoparticles was achieved by the CSR method.
- Multiple CSR cycles were performed to increase Fe loading.
- In situ XANES showed that Fe species are electron deficient under WGSR.
- Fe-promoted catalysts showed improved activity under WGSR.

FePt bimetallic catalysts with intimate contact between the two metals were synthesized by controlled surface reactions (CSR) of (cyclohexadiene)iron tricarbonyl with hydrogen-treated supported Pt nanoparticles. Adsorption of the iron precursor on a Pt/SiO2 catalyst was studied, showing that the Fe loading could be increased by performing multiple CSR cycles, and the efficiency of this process was linked to the renewal of adsorption sites by a reducing pretreatment. The catalytic activity of these bimetallic catalysts for the water gas shift reaction was improved due to promotion by iron, likely linked to H2O activation on FeOx species at or near the Pt surface, mostly in the (II) oxidation state.

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