Suppressing Jahn-Teller distortion of MnO2 via B-Ni dual single-atoms integration for methane catalytic combustion

Precisely managing electron transfer pathways throughout the catalytic reaction is paramount for bolstering both the efficacy and endurance of catalysts, offering a pivotal solution to addressing concerns surrounding host structure destabilization and cycling life degradation. This paper describes the integration of B-Ni dual single-atoms within MnO2 channels to serve as an electronic reservoir to direct the electron transfer route during methane catalytic combustion. Comprehensive analysis discovers that B atoms weaken the interaction between O and Mn atoms by forming bonds with lattice oxygen atoms. Meanwhile, Ni atoms facilitate electron transfer to achieve the heightened activity of MnO2. The B-Ni dual-sites instead of Mn (IV) could accommodate excess electrons generated during the reaction to inhibit the formation of high spin Mn (III) species, thereby hindering the Jahn-Teller distortion and maintaining the catalyst stability. This work demonstrates an effective modification strategy to substantially prolong the service life of MnO2-based materials. Manganese oxides typically undergo irreversible phase transformations during redox reactions due to the Jahn-Teller effect. This study introduces adjacent B-Ni single-atomic sites as an electron reservoir to precisely control electron transfer pathways, enabling both high catalytic activity and stability.