Strong metal-support interaction boosts the activity and stability of CeO2 supported Pt nanocatalysts for dichloromethane oxidation.

Developing efficient catalysts with excellent chlorine resistance and oxidation activity is highly desirable for the elimination of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs). Metal-support interactions are pivotal for optimizing catalyst performance in many key chemical reactions, yet their governing mechanisms over both catalytic activity and durability remain largely elusive, particularly in the CVOCs catalytic oxidation. Herein, to serve as model catalysts, four Pt/CeO2 catalysts with similar Pt sizes and loadings but distinct Pt-CeO2 interaction strengths were synthesized via different methods. Their catalytic behaviors were systematically investigated in dichloromethane (DCM) catalytic oxidation. In situ DRIFTS, in situ NAP-XPS, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that stronger Pt-CeO2 interactions promoted electron transfer from Pt nanoparticles to the CeO2 support via the Pt-O-Ce interface. This electronic perturbation facilitated an efficient redox cycle between metallic Pt0 and oxidized Pt2+ species during DCM oxidation, leading to the generation of abundant reactive oxygen species. Consequently, the Pt/CeO2-CD catalyst with the strongest Pt-CeO2 interaction exhibited optimal DCM oxidation activity and long-term stability. This work elucidated the pivotal role of metal-support interactions from an electronic and interfacial perspective, offering a fundamental insight and a strategic guideline for designing advanced catalysts for CVOC elimination.