Metal hybridization in dilute-alloy catalysts promotes sintering resistance by decreasing surface mobility

Single-atom alloys can exhibit unique catalytic properties. Here, using reactivity measurements, atomic-scale imaging, simulation and spectroscopic analysis, it is shown that 1 atom% addition of Pt to Cu nanoparticles substantially decreases deactivation in single-atom alloys via sintering. A general predictive model of catalyst stabilization is developed.