Silver Nanoparticles Supported on CeO 2 ‐SBA‐15 by Microwave Irradiation Possess Metal–Support Interactions and Enhanced Catalytic Activity

Metal–support interactions (MSIs) and particle size play important roles in catalytic reactions. For the first time, silver nanoparticles supported on CeO 2 ‐SBA‐15 supports are reported that possess tunable particle size and MSIs, as prepared by microwave (MW) irradiation, owing to strong charge polarization of CeO 2 clusters (i.e., MW absorption). Characterizations, including TEM, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure, were carried out to disclose the influence of CeO 2 contents on the Ag particle size, MSI effect between Ag nanoparticles and CeO 2 ‐SBA‐15 supports, and the strong MW absorption of CeO 2 clusters that contribute to the MSIs during Ag deposition. The Ag particle sizes were controllably tuned from 1.9 to 3.9 nm by changing the loading amounts of CeO 2 from 0.5 to 2.0 wt %. The Ag nanoparticle size was predominantly responsible for the high turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.41 min −1 in ammonia borane dehydrogenation, whereas both particle size and MSIs contributed to the high TOF of 555 min −1 in 4‐nitrophenol reduction for Ag/0.5CeO 2 ‐SBA‐15, which were twice as large as those of Ag/SBA‐15 without CeO 2 and Ag/CeO 2 ‐SBA‐15 prepared by conventional oil‐bath heating.