Partial PdAu nanoparticle embedding into TiO₂ support accentuates catalytic contributions from the Au/TiO₂ interface

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Controlling metal-support interfaces is crucial for catalyst performance but challenging due to interdependent nanoparticle and support properties.
• Impregnation methods often lead to intertwined characteristics, limiting precise interfacial control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To decouple nanoparticle and support characteristics for enhanced catalytic control.
• To investigate the impact of partial nanoparticle embedding on catalyst activity and stability.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a raspberry-colloid-templating strategy to create partially embedded PdAu nanoparticles within SiO2 or TiO2 supports.
• Prepared nonembedded catalysts for comparison.
• Performed theoretical calculations and in situ surface-sensitive desorption analyses.

Main Results:

• Partial embedding significantly increased the metal-support interfacial perimeter and the number of Au/TiO2 interfacial sites (5.4-fold).
• PdAu/TiO2 catalysts exhibited higher activity (4.1-fold enhancement) compared to nonembedded counterparts.
• Identified facile benzaldehyde binding at the Au/TiO2 interface as key to enhanced activity.

Conclusions:

• Partial nanoparticle embedding is an effective strategy to enhance catalyst stability and activity.
• Increasing the metal-support interfacial perimeter, particularly Au/TiO2 sites, boosts catalytic performance.
• This approach offers precise control over metal-support interfaces for advanced catalyst design.