Strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) construction is a pivotal strategy to afford thermally robust nanocatalysts in industrial catalysis, but thermally induced reactions (>300 ⁰C) in specific gaseous atmosphere are generally required in traditional procedures. Herein, a photochemistry-driven methodology was demonstrated for SMSI construction under ambient conditions. Encapsulation of Pd nanoparticles with the TiOx overlayer, presence of Ti3+ species, and suppression of CO adsorption were achieved upon UV irradiation. The key lies in the generation of separated photo-induced reductive electron (e–) and oxidative hole (h+), which subsequently trigger the formation of Ti3+ species/oxygen vacancy (Ov) and then interfacial Pd–Ov–Ti3+ sites, affording Pd/TiO2–SMSI with enhanced catalytic hydrogenation efficiency. The as-constructed SMSI layer was reversible and the photo-driven procedure could be extended to Pd/ZnO and Pt/TiO2.
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c12817
