γ-Alumina-supported Pt cluster: controlled loading, geometrical structure, and size-specific catalytic activity for carbon monoxide and propylene oxidation.

Although Pt is extensively used as a catalyst to purify automotive exhaust gas, it is desirable to reduce Pt consumption through size reduction because Pt is a rare element and an expensive noble metal. In this study, we successfully loaded a Pt cluster on γ-alumina (γ-AlO) (Pt/γ-AlO) using [Pt(CO)(PPh)]Cl ( = 1, 2) as a precursor. In addition, we demonstrated that Pt is not present in the form of an oxide in Pt/γ-AlO but instead has a framework structure as a metal cluster.