Electronic Metal-Support Interaction in Pt/Co₃O₄ Enhanced Lattice Oxygen Activation and Replenishment for...

Noble-metal supported on transition-metal oxide (TMO) materials are promising catalysts for photothermocatalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but the catalytic roles of TMOs are usually overlooked. Herein, xPt/Co₃O₄ catalysts were designed for photothermocatalytic VOC oxidation, with a strong electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) engineered between Pt nanoparticles and Co₃O₄ nanosheets. The EMSI induces partial electron transfer from Pt to Co₃O₄ through a well-defined interface, generating electron-deficient Pt and weakening Co-O bonds. Consequently, the mobility and reactivity of lattice oxygen in Co₃O₄ were promoted. As for 1.0Pt/Co₃O₄, most bulk lattice oxygen in Co₃O₄ can efficiently migrate to the surface to participate in the photothermocatalytic oxidation of VOCs, and subsequently be replenished by activated gaseous oxygen. Meanwhile, positively charged Pt significantly promotes the activation of toluene by adsorbing toluene molecules and accepting electrons from the aromatic ring. As a result, 1.0Pt/Co₃O₄ achieves complete toluene conversion and an 84% CO₂ yield under continuous reaction conditions with a low illumination intensity of 200 mW/cm², without the requirement for an external heat source.