Stable single iron atom within two-dimensional porphyrin sheet catalysis for CO oxidation: A computational investigation

Abstract

CO produced by incomplete combustion of fuel poses a great threat to the environment and human health. Single atom catalysis can increase the active site of the catalyst, but it is unstable and easy to agglomerate at the higher temperatures. A stable single iron atom two-dimensional porphyrin sheet (Fe–TDPS) was designed, which was as CO oxidation catalyst to reduce costs and increase catalytic activity, and the reaction mechanism was investigated by density functional theory. Fe–TDPS has good stability at 1000 K with the ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. Absorption energies suggested that both CO and O2 preferred to anchor at the Fe–N4 site. The mechanisms of CO oxidation, which have reacted on the Fe–TDPS, were explored by Langmuir–Hinshelwood, Eley–Rideal, and ter-molecular Eley–Rideal mechanisms. Ter-molecular Eley–Rideal mechanism was feasible because of the small energy barrier. Results indicated that Fe–TDPS can be used as a catalyst for CO oxidation in the mild condition.