Unrevealing liquid metal Ga isolated Pt atom catalysts efficient hydrogenation capability of acid to alkanes

Herein, we have achieved successful preparation of atomically dispersed catalytic systems, liquid metal Ptx/Ga catalysts, which eliminate the need for reduction processes. Notably, the 0.5 wt% Ptx/Ga catalyst exhibited exceptional stability in hydrogenation performance, achieving 100 % conversion of stearic acid with an impressive 98.7 % selectivity towards octadecane, especially with unprecedented stability over 19 recycling cycles. X-ray absorption spectra (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations unequivocally establish that isolated Pt atoms, benefitting from charge transfer from the Ga matrix, synergistically optimize Pt metal atom utilization, thereby efficaciously optimizing the d-band center and augmenting hydrogenation proficiency. Furthermore, isolated Pt configuration's weaker CO adsorption ability effectively mitigates concerns of catalyst poisoning and undesirable agglomeration, thereby engendering superior stability. The stronger adsorption with aldehyde and alcohol intermediates promotes the hydrogenation of stearic acid through hydrodehydration pathway, thereby ensuring a high carbon utilization economy. Overall, our work offers insight into the investigation of hydrogenation conversion of bio-derivatives over atomically dispersed catalytic systems. [Display omitted] •Atomically dispersed Ptx/Ga catalysts achieved 100 % stearic acid conversion with 98.7 % octadecane selectivity.•Embed Pt atoms within the Ga matrix transfer enhances charge and optimize d-band center.•Weaker CO adsorption and isolated Pt reduces poisoning risks and improves stability over 19 cycles.•Stronger aldehyde and alcohol adsorption boosts carbon utilization efficiency through hydrodehydration.