Single‐Phase Formation of Rh₂O₃ Nanoparticles on h‐BN Support for Highly Controlled Methane Partial Oxidation to Syngas

Abstract

Single-phase formation of active metal oxides on supports has been vigorously pursued in many catalytic applications to suppress undesired reactions and to determine direct structure-property relationships.H owever,t his is difficult to achieve in nanoscale range because the effect of nonuniform metal-support interfaces becomes dominant in the overall catalyst growth, leading to the nucleation of various metastable oxides.H erein, we develop as upported singlephase corundum-Rh 2 O 3 (I) nanocatalyst by utilizing controlled interaction between metal oxide and h-BN support. Atomicresolution electron microscopya nd first-principle calculation reveal that single-phase formation occurs via uniform and preferential attachment of Rh 2 O 3 (I) (110) seed planes on welldefined h-BN surface after decomposition of rhodium precursor.B yu tilizing the Rh/h-BN catalyst in methane partial oxidation, syngas is successfully produced solely following the direct route with keeping aH 2 /CO ratio of 2, whichm akes it ideal for most downstream chemical processes.