X-ray Raman Scattering of Pt Single-Atom Catalysts Embedded in Mesoporous N-Doped Carbon for H2O2 Production

Ex situ X-ray Raman Scattering (XRS) experiments will be conducted with the primary goal of understanding the electronic structure and local bonding of carbon and nitrogen in atomically dispersed platinum single-atom catalysts (Pt/MPNC) for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production via the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e⁻ ORR). The Pt/MPNC catalysts are embedded in nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon, which plays a crucial role in determining the catalytic activity and selectivity for H2O2. XRS will allow us to probe the C and N K-edges in these samples, offering insights into the effects of nitrogen doping on the stability and reactivity of Pt single atoms, both before and after catalytic testing (pristine and postmortem conditions). The high-resolution capabilities of the ID20 beamline are essential for these measurements, providing detailed information on the local electronic environment of light elements in the presence of heavy elements like platinum.