Achieving anti-sintering of supported platinum nanoparticles using a thermal management strategy

Sintering inhibition of a catalyst at high temperatures is a challenge during heterogeneous catalysis. In this paper, we report that hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is an optimal material for anti-sintering γ-Al 2 O 3 -supported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) originating from the high thermal conductivity of h-BN. The high thermal conductivity of h-BN ensures maximal heat dissipation from Pt NPs to γ-Al 2 O 3 , thereby causing both Ostwald ripening and particle coalescence of Pt NPs to be decelerated at elevated temperatures. Inhibition of Pt NP sintering is also shown in the reducible TiO 2 -supported Pt NPs with the help of h-BN. The proposed anti-sintering strategy using thermal management is universal, providing new insight into the design of anti-sintering materials and structures for a wide range of applications in heterogeneous catalysis.