Enabling long-distance hydrogen spillover in nonreducible metal-organic frameworks for catalytic reaction

Hydrogen spillover, the surface migration of metal particle-activated hydrogen atoms over solid supports, is crucial in heterogeneous catalysis and hydrogen storage. This study focuses on overcoming short-distance hydrogen migration limitations in nonreducible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). By decoupling hydrogen migration and hydrogenation, the researchers demonstrate that ligand functional groups or embedded water molecules modulate hydrogen spillover in nonreducible MOFs, enabling long-distance (over 50 nm) hydrogen movement. Using sandwich nanostructured MOFs@Pt@MOFs catalysts, highly selective hydrogenation of N-heteroarenes is achieved via controllable hydrogen spillover. This work enhances understanding of hydrogen spillover and informs the design of MOF-supported catalysts.

Xiao-Jue Bai, Caoyu Yang, Zhiyong Tang