Anchoring single platinum atoms onto nickel nanoparticles affords highly selective catalysts for lignin conversion

Abstract

Due to the highly complex polyphenolic structure of lignin, depolymerization without a prior chemical treatment is challenging, and new catalysts are required. Atomically dispersed catalysts are able to maximize the atomic efficiency of noble metals, simultaneously providing an alternative strategy to tune the activity and selectivity by alloying with other abundant metal supports. Here, we report a highly active and selective catalyst comprising monodispersed (single) Pt atoms on Ni nanoparticles supported on carbon (denoted as Pt 1 Ni/C, where Pt 1 represents single Pt atoms), designed for the reductive depolymerization of lignin. Selectivity toward 4-n-propylsyringol and 4-n-propylguaiacol exceeds 90%. The activity and selectivity of the Pt 1 Ni/C catalyst in the reductive depolymerization of lignin may be attributed to synergistic effects between the Ni nanoparticles and the single Pt atoms. • An efficient single-atom alloy catalyst for lignin-first biorefining is disclosed • The catalyst shows high activity in lignin deconstruction to afford aromatic monomers • Key structural and mechanistic features of the catalyst are provided Alloying noble metal atoms with non-noble metals allows the atomic efficiency of the noble metal to be maximized. Chen et al. describe single-atom catalysts for reductive lignin depolymerization based on platinum single atoms anchored onto nickel nanoparticles and supported on carbon, which are highly efficient, with the structure of the catalysts determining the selectivity of the reaction.