Locating Fe dopants in catalytic PtPd nanoparticles on γ-alumina using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Addition of Fe to PtPd nanoparticles on γ-alumina is known to increase catalytic activity. This is shown to stem from increased Pt–Pd coordination during thermal aging which induces microstrain. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis reveals that the Fe dopant atoms are incorporated into the alumina surface, which fine tunes the electronic state and provides greater oxidation resistance to Pt.