Metal Cluster‐Based Catalysts

Metal-based catalysts employed by industry typically contain metal nanoparticles dispersed on various supports. This chapter introduces the advanced fabrication of model heterogeneous catalysts using atomically precise metal clusters as precursors for well-defined active sites. Metal clusters occupy a niche between individual metal atoms or ions and larger, bulk-like metallic nanoparticles. The chapter briefly covers the "top-down" approach of fabricating clusters by breaking up macroscopic metals. In addition to cluster cores containing several metal atoms connected by direct bonds established during chemical synthesis, clusters contain ligands. Chemically synthesized, purified, and fully characterized clusters can be deposited onto various supports using impregnation and adsorption methods. In this way, atomically precise control over composition of the active site could be achieved so that the nature of the cluster chosen as a precursor in catalyst fabrication will fully define the nature of the active site.