Platinum Group Metal‐Indium Carbon‐Interstitial Compounds for Hydrogen Production

ABSTRACT Carbon‐interstitial compounds of precious metal alloys (C i ‐PMA) have attracted increased attention as effective catalytic materials, but their precise and controllable synthesis remains significant challenges. Herein, we have established a universal approach for the straightforward synthesis of supported C i ‐platinum group metal‐indium alloys (M 3 InCx, M = Pt, Pd, Ni, x = 0.5 or 1). The control experiment results indicate that the C atoms in Pt 3 InC 0.5 come from the solvent. Furthermore, 0.2 wt.% Pt 3 InC 0.5 /SiO 2 exhibits excellent catalytic performance for aqueous phase reforming (APR) of methanol (CH 3 OH) to produce hydrogen, with productivity and turnover frequency of 310.0 −1 mol·kgcat·h −1 and 30 126 h −1 at 200°C, which are 1.7 times greater than those of Pt 3 In/SiO 2 . The infrared results of CH 3 OH adsorption reveal that the substantially better performance for APR of CH 3 OH of Pt 3 InC 0.5 /SiO 2 than Pt 3 In/SiO 2 is due to its significantly enhanced CH bond dissociation ability. This study not only provides a straightforward and universal approach for the controlled synthesis of C i ‐PMA but also stimulates fundamental research into C i ‐PMA for catalysis and other applications.