Boosting reverse water-gas shift reaction activity of Pt nanoparticles through light doping of W

Abstract

The reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction is an important reaction from the viewpoint of converting CO₂ into CO as an important raw material compound. As the RWGS reaction is a mildly endothermic and competitive reaction with CO₂ methanation, it is important to improve the activity at low temperatures. Here, we report PtW nanoparticles (NPs) supported on γ-Al₂O₃ (PtW NPs/Al₂O₃) in which Pt and W were randomly mixed for obtaining a highly active and selective catalyst for the RWGS. At low temperatures of 200 and 300 °C, PtW NPs/Al₂O₃ exhibited 16- and 17-times higher activity than Pt/Al₂O₃, one of the most promising catalysts. The enhanced activity of PtW NPs originated from alloying Pt with W, which contributes to the sintering resistance of Pt NPs, and promotion of CO₂ adsorption and CO desorption on the catalyst. Furthermore, PtW NPs/Al₂O₃ exhibited high durability and excellent catalytic performance.