On March 21, 2026, our research on a PtSnCu catalyst for propane dehydrogenation was selected as one of the “2025 Major Scientific Advances in China” by Science & Technology Review. The recognized work, titled “Full utilization of noble metals by atom abstraction for propane dehydrogenation,” was published in Science 390, eadw3053 (2025).
The study reported a strategy termed “atom abstraction” that enabled the full utilization of noble metals in propane dehydrogenation, an on-purpose route for propylene production. The strategy is based on metal-atom segregation arising from differences in atomic size and bonding strength. By introducing an appropriate amount of tin (Sn) into Pt-containing Cu nanoparticles, the researchers achieved nearly complete exposure of metallic Pt atoms on the nanoparticle surface.
In propane dehydrogenation, the PtSnCu catalyst delivered comparable catalytic activity with only about one-tenth of the Pt loading used in industrial PtSnK/Al2O3 catalysts, while also showing improved stability and propylene selectivity.
This recognition highlights the originality, scientific significance, and potential industrial impact of the work, and underscores its importance for the efficient use of precious-metal resources and the development of more sustainable catalytic processes.
科技导报：2025年中国重大科学、技术和工程进展