In situ reaction-induced strong metal-support interaction to enhance catalytic performance and stability of toluene oxidation

Abstract

The construction of strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) represents an attractive strategy to enhance the catalytic performance of the catalysts. Herein, the SMSI state over the Pt/TiO₂ catalyst that inductively formed with a toluene atmosphere at a temperature below 300 °C is reported. During this process, the Pt species is covered by TiO_x overlayers, while the Pt species is endowed to an electron-sufficient state, and more defects on the surface are produced simultaneously. Owing to the existence of formed SMSI, the interface of Pt and TiO₂ with an improved redox property is conducive for oxygen species activation to expedite toluene conversion. The experimental results demonstrate that the catalysts with SMSI state exhibit improved catalytic activity and stability (5 vol% water and 800 °C thermal treatment). This work posits that the SMSI state of noble metal-supported catalysts can be dynamically produced during toluene conversion, which paves a novel method for designing efficient catalysts for the practical elimination of VOCs.