Supported noble metal catalysts for complete propane oxidation: structure-activity relationships and reaction mechanisms

Volatile organic compounds are important precursors of air pollution and photochemical smog, and they pose potential risks to human health and the ecological environment. Among them, propane is particularly challenging to eliminate due to its stable chemical nature. The catalytic oxidation of propane offers a promising strategy to tackle this pressing environmental issue and serves as an excellent model reaction for investigating the C–H and C–C bond activation and oxygen redox processes on supported noble metal catalysts. In this review, we focus on commonly used supported noble metal catalysts and systematically discuss how the chemical state, particle size, support type, addition of promoters, and metal-support interactions influence the catalytic performance in complete propane oxidation. Subsequently, the thermal stability of different noble metal catalysts is summarized. We then provide an overview of the common propane oxidation mechanisms reported in the literature, including Langmuir-Hinshelwood, Eley-Rideal, and Mars-van Krevelen mechanisms. Finally, we summarize and prospect the precise regulation of noble metal-support interface and the application of newly developed electrothermal catalytic technologies for highly efficient propane oxidation, guiding the design of future high-performance catalysts. This review aims to provide mechanistic insights and design principles bridging fundamental catalysis and practical oxidation applications.