The role of oxidizing conditions in the dispersion of supported platinum nanoparticles explored by ab initio modeling

Achieving fine control over the dispersion of supported platinum nanoparticles (Pt) is a promising avenue to enhance their catalytic activity and selectivity. Experimental observations suggest that exposing ceria-supported Pt nanoparticles to O₂ at 500 °C promote their dispersion into smaller particles and eventually single atoms. In the associated paper we have combined several approaches and types of models in a consistent atomistic framework to evaluate the relative stability of ceria-supported Pt as a function of the degree of oxidation of Pt and of the particle size, ranging from single atoms to nanoparticles of 1.5 nm of diameter.