Surface-Confined Synthesis of Ultrafine Pt-Rare Earth Nanoalloys on N-Functionalized Supports

It is extremely challenging to controllably synthesize rare earth-containing nanoalloys due to the ultralow standard reduction potential of rare earth metals. Here, a surface-confined strategy to prepare ultrafine Pt-rare earth nanoalloys on a series of N-functionalized supports is reported. It proves that by surface N-metal coordination, the metal cations of precursors are atomically dispersed on support, which greatly favors uniform nucleation and growth of particles upon reduction. Moreover, the moderate metal transfer barrier from N ensures particle growth in a confined region to form ultrafine nanoalloys. Using this method, ultrafine Pt  La, Pt  Y, and Pt  Dy nanoalloys are prepared on N-functionalized supports such as carbon, zeolite, and Al 2 O 3 . Notably, the Pt  La nanoalloys on N-functionalized zeolite show superior activity and durability for propane oxidation. The strategy is expected to provide guidelines for preparing highly efficient rare earth-containing nanoalloys for catalysis applications.