High levels of reaction selectivity for selective alkane functionalization are generally difficult to achieve with metal nanoparticle heterogeneous catalysts, due to the variety of metal biding sites available. Motivated by the desire towards the development of uniform single-site metal centers at surfaces, our group has been working on the redox assembly of metal-organic systems at surfaces. On a single crystal gold surface, electrons are transferred from platinum to the ligand 3,6-Di-2-pyridyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (DPTZ). Utilizing this unique redox chemistry, long-range ordered 1D chains with an alternating metal-ligand structure were assembled at deposition of DPTZ with pre-adsorbed metallic platinum. All platinum sites are oxidized into Pt(II), and stabilized in the binding pocket between two DPTZ with identical chemical environment. Here, aiming at practical applications in catalysis, a novel solution-phase synthetic strategy was developed based on wet impregnation approach, in attempt to reproduce the similar metal-ligand structure on high-surface-area powdered oxide catalyst supports. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified that the redox chemistry is applicable to real supports, and is crucial in the successful deposition of DPTZ despite a weak ligand-support interaction. The surface structure is further elucidated by X-ray diffraction and surface titration. It was concluded that the mobility of the metal and ligand on a rough support surface, and the existence of residual Cl from Pt precursors represent major challenges. This metal-ligand structure can be manipulated by tuning strength of interaction between the supports, metal and ligand. Initial catalytic tests with the methane oxidation reaction exhibited C-H activation ability and selectivity similar to traditional highly-dispersed Pt catalysts. We have compared these catalysts and explored the limitations of single-site metal-organic complexes at oxide supports. Though being significantly stabilized by the favored coordination geometry and the redox chemistry, the thermal stability of the metal-ligand structure needs to be further enhanced.

Nanoscale carbons are typically synthesized by thermal decomposition of a hydrocarbon at the surface of a metal catalyst. Whereas the use of silicon as an alternative to metal catalyst could unlock new techniques to seamlessly couple carbon nanostructures and semiconductor materials, stable carbide formation in bulk silicon prevents the precipitation and growth of graphitic structures. Here, we provide evidence supported by comprehensive in-situ Raman experiments that indicates nanoscale grains of silicon in porous silicon (PSi) scaffolds act as catalysts for hydrocarbon decomposition and growth of few-layered graphene at temperatures as low as 700 K. Self-limiting growth kinetics of graphene with activation energies measured between 0.32 – 0.37 eV elucidates the formation of highly reactive surface-bound Si radicals that aid in the decomposition of hydrocarbons. Nucleation and growth of graphitic layers on PSi exhibits striking similarity to catalytic growth on nickel surfaces, involving temperature dependent surface and subsurface diffusion of carbon. This work elucidates how the nanoscale properties of silicon can be exploited to yield catalytic properties distinguished from bulk silicon, opening an important avenue to engineer catalytic interfaces combining the two most technologically-important materials for modern applications – silicon and nanoscale carbons.