Since the catalytic reaction proceeds through the exchange of electrons between the reaction molecule and the surface of the catalyst, the element species on the surface of the catalyst, their arrangement, and the electronic state of the catalyst are important factors."Intermetallic compounds" having a regular atomic arrangement with an integer composition ratio have been attracting attention as a new catalyst in recent years because of their unique surface ordered structure and electronic state.

　This research group focuses on "Whisler alloys," which are a type of intermetallic compound and are famous as magnetic / spintronics materials, thermoelectric materials, and shape memory alloys.Although it was unknown as a catalyst, it was thought that the existence of innumerable combinations of elements and the possibility of substituting the fourth element would lead to the discovery of a new high-performance catalyst that can tune the catalytic function.

　This time, we investigated in detail the catalytic properties of alkynes for selective hydrogenation reactions in some Whistler alloys, and attempted to control the catalytic function by substituting the fourth element.As a result, it was demonstrated that the Whistler alloy can maintain a higher alkene selectivity than the pure cobalt used as the comparative sample, and that the catalytic properties can be systematically controlled by element substitution.

　Since the excellent catalyst discovered this time does not contain noble metals, it is expected as a noble metal substitute catalyst, and since the effect of change due to element substitution can be independently utilized while maintaining the same crystal structure, it is an intermetallic compound catalyst. It is expected that it can also be used as a platform for elucidating the mechanism.

Paper information:[Science Advances] Catalysis tunable Heusler alloys in selective hydrogenation of alkyne –Anew potential for old materials –