Synergistic Pt-CeO2 interface boosting low temperature dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) favourably harnesses greenhouse gases (CH4/CO2) to produce syngas (H2/CO), but suffers from high energy consumption and coking. Here, we report a Pt single-atom catalyst anchored on rod-like (R) CeO2 for boosting the DRM at low temperature (300–450 °C) due to the more facile formation of oxygen vacancy (VO) by removing a surface lattice oxygen (Olattice) on Pt-CeO2-R than the cube and particle counterparts. Experimental and theoretical studies indicate the formation energy (Ef) of VO is greatly lowered by the Pt-doped effect on CeO2 surfaces, especially for the (110) lattice plane. The synergistic effects at the Pt-CeO2 interface, i.e., the Pt-Olattice bond renders the dehydrogenation of CH4 to CO and the CO2 dissociation heals the remaining VO. The Olattice-assisted CH4 dehydrogenation mechanism improves the coke resistance of the Pt-CeO2 catalyst. This work provides an opportunity to rationally design high-efficiency catalysts for the conversion of greenhouse gases. [Display omitted] •Low-temperature DRM and efficient metal atom utilization have been realized on Pt-CeO2 SACs.•CeO2 nanorods predominantly defined by {110} planes provide strong anchoring sites for active metal in the form of isolated Pt2+ ions.•The synergistic effects at the Pt-CeO2 interface combine CH4 dehydrogenation and CO2 dissociation.•The Olattice-assisted CH4 dehydrogenation mechanism improves the coke resistance of the Pt-CeO2 catalyst.