DFT Insights into the Hydrodenitrogenation and Ring-Opening of Indole on an M (M = Ni, Pt, Ni–Pt) Slab Model

Density functional theory (DFT) calculation has been used to study the hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) and ring-opening of indole on an M (M = Ni, Pt, Ni–Pt) slab surface. The possible reaction pathway of indole hydrogenation has been investigated in order to reveal the bimetallic synergistic effects of an M slab surface. Compared to the mechanism of indole hydrogenation on an M slab surface, it was found that a PtNi(111) surface favors indole hydrogenation. According to the results of DFT calculation, it suggests that the bimetallic effect of the M surface plays an important role in indole hydrogenation