Anchoring single platinum atoms onto nickel nanoparticles affords highly selective catalysts for lignin conversion

Due to the highly complex polyphenolic structure of lignin, depolymerization without a prior chemical treatment is challenging, and new catalysts are required. Atomically dispersed catalysts are able to maximize the atomic efficiency of noble metals, simultaneously providing an alternative strategy to tune the activity and selectivity by alloying with other abundant metal supports. Here, we report a highly active and selective catalyst comprising monodispersed (single) Pt atoms on Ni nanoparticles supported on carbon (denoted as Pt1Ni/C, where Pt-1 represents single Pt atoms), designed for the reductive depolymerization of lignin. Selectivity toward 4-n-propylsyringol and 4-n-propylguaiacol exceeds 90%. The activity and selectivity of the Pt1Ni/C catalyst in the reductive depolymerization of lignin may be attributed to synergistic effects between the Ni nanoparticles and the single Pt atoms.