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Tuning Supported Catalyst Reactivity With Dendrimer-Templated Pt-Cu Nanoparticles, Natalie N. Hoover, Bethany J. Auten, Bert D. Chandler

Chemistry Faculty Research

The effects of particle composition on heterogeneous catalysis were studied using dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) as precursors to supported Pt-Cu catalysts. Bimetallic Pt-Cu DENs with varying Pt/Cu ratios were prepared in an anaerobic aqueous solution and deposited onto a high-purity commercial alumina support. The dendrimer template was then thermally removed to yield supported nanoparticle catalysts, which were studied with toluene hydrogenation and CO oxidation catalysis as well as infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. Incorporating Cu into Pt nanoparticles had opposite effects on the two test reactions. Cu acted as a mild promoter for CO oxidation catalysis, and the promoting effect was …