ETH Zurich Finds Greener Way to Use Platinum Catalysts

The catalyst consists of single platinum atoms (red) surrounded by nitrogen (blue) and carbon atoms (grey). Using nuclear magnetic resonance, such atomic environments can now be precisely studied for the first time.  (Image: Javier Pérez-Ramírez / ETH Zürich)

Scientists at ETH Zurich in Switzerland have found a powerful new method to make chemical production more efficient, environment-friendly, and cost-saving. By closely studying how single atoms of platinum behave inside catalysts, the researchers can now help industries use less platinum and get better performance. This method could bring big benefits for chemical, fuel, and medicine production — especially in countries like India where industrial demand is growing fast.

The scientists used a technique called nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to look at each platinum atom in detail. This is the same basic technology used in MRI scans at hospitals, but here it is used to study tiny atoms inside solid materials. With this, researchers can now see not just where the platinum atoms are placed, but also what types of atoms are around them — like carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen.

Understanding the neighborhood of each platinum atom is important because it directly affects how the atom behaves in a chemical reaction. Platinum is one of the best materials used as a catalyst, which is a substance that speeds up chemical reactions without getting used up itself. Catalysts are used in many industries, from fuel and plastics to fertilizers and medicines. In fact, about 80% of chemical products in the world today are made using catalysts.

Platinum works very well in these reactions, but it is also very rare, expensive, and harmful to mine, as it creates a lot of CO₂ emissions. That’s why scientists are looking for ways to use less platinum, while still getting the same or better results. This has led to the development of single-atom catalysts — a new type of material where individual platinum atoms are spread across a surface so that each atom takes part in the reaction.

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These single-atom catalysts are placed on support materials like carbon doped with nitrogen. The nitrogen helps anchor each platinum atom in place. But there’s a catch — not all platinum atoms work equally well. Even though they are made the same way, some atoms perform better than others. This is because each atom may have different nearby atoms, which changes how active it is.

Until now, scientists used electron microscopes to look at these atoms. But those only show the shape or image — they don’t tell us how the atom is behaving during a reaction. That’s where this new method from ETH Zurich becomes important. With NMR, scientists can now study how platinum atoms behave based on their exact surroundings.

The research was led by Professors Javier Pérez-Ramírez and Christophe Copéret. They got the idea during a chance meeting at a research event. Later, they teamed up with scientists from France and Denmark to develop the project further. Together, they created special computer simulations that could understand the NMR signals. These signals are like music notes — each platinum atom gives a different tone depending on the atoms nearby.

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By carefully listening to these signals, the scientists were able to create a map showing how each platinum atom is placed and what kinds of atoms are next to it. This is the first time such a detailed map of single-atom catalysts has been made using NMR. It shows exactly how the atoms are arranged, how they work, and how they can be improved.

This discovery is a major step forward for catalyst design. Now, scientists can plan and control the atomic environment around each platinum atom to get the best results. This means less platinum is needed, and the catalysts will be more uniform and effective. It also makes it easier for companies to protect their materials with patents, since the structure is now clearly defined.

The findings were published in the world-famous journal Nature, showing the high value of this research. The ETH team believes this method can also be used to study other types of catalysts — not just platinum. It opens the door to a whole new way of designing materials for cleaner, faster, and more sustainable chemical production.

This method is especially useful for countries like India, where the demand for chemicals, energy, and fertilizers is high. Using single-atom catalysts designed this way can reduce costs, lower pollution, and increase production quality. It also supports India's goals for green technology, clean energy, and low-carbon manufacturing.

 This new method helps scientists use platinum in a smarter way — saving resources, improving chemical reactions, and helping industries grow without harming the planet. What happens at the atomic level can have a big impact on our everyday lives and our future.