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Strong Metal–Support Interaction for 2D Materials: Application in Noble Metal/TiB 2 Heterointerfaces and their Enhanced Catalytic Performance for Formic Acid Dehydrogenation
Author(s) -
Li Renhong,
Liu Zhiqi,
Trinh Quang Thang,
Miao Ziqiang,
Chen Shuang,
Qian Kaicheng,
Wong Roong Jien,
Xi Shibo,
Yan Yong,
Borgna Armando,
Liang Shipan,
Wei Tong,
Dai Yihu,
Wang Peng,
Tang Yu,
Yan Xiaoqing,
Choksi Tej S.,
Liu Wen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.202101536
Subject(s) - dehydrogenation , materials science , overlayer , catalysis , noble metal , metal , transition metal , chemical engineering , formic acid , nanoparticle , sintering , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , metallurgy , organic chemistry , engineering
Strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) is a phenomenon commonly observed on heterogeneous catalysts. Here, direct evidence of SMSI between noble metal and 2D TiB 2 supports is reported. The temperature‐induced TiB 2 overlayers encapsulate the metal nanoparticles, resulting in core–shell nanostructures that are sintering‐resistant with metal loadings as high as 12.0 wt%. The TiO x ‐terminated TiB 2 surfaces are the active sites catalyzing the dehydrogenation of formic acid at room temperature. In contrast to the trade‐off between stability and activity in conventional SMSI, TiB 2 ‐based SMSI promotes catalytic activity and stability simultaneously. By optimizing the thickness and coverage of the overlayer, the Pt/TiB 2 catalyst displays an outstanding hydrogen productivity of 13.8 mmol g −1 cat h −1 in 10.0 m aqueous solution without any additive or pH adjustment, with >99.9% selectivity toward CO 2 and H 2 . Theoretical studies suggest that the TiB 2 overlayers are stabilized on different transition metals through an interplay between covalent and electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, the computationally determined trends in metal–TiB 2 interactions are fully consistent with the experimental observations regarding the extent of SMSI on different transition metals. The present research introduces a new means to create thermally stable and catalytically active metal/support interfaces for scalable chemical and energy applications.