Tailoring the Catalytic Properties of Metal Nanoparticles via Support Interactions

Abstract

The development of new catalysts for energy technology and environmental remediation requires a thorough knowledge of how the physical and chemical properties of a catalyst affect its reactivity. For supported metal nanoparticles (NPs), such properties can include the particle size, shape, composition, and chemical state, but a critical parameter which must not be overlooked is the role of the NP support. Here, we highlight the key mechanisms behind support-induced enhancement in the catalytic properties of metal NPs. These include support-induced changes in the NP morphology, stability, electronic structure, and chemical state, as well as changes in the support due to the NPs. Utilizing the support-dependent phenomena described in this Perspective may allow significant breakthroughs in the design and tailoring of the catalytic activity and selectivity of metal nanoparticles.

Thermal Penetration of Gold Nanoparticles into Silicon Dioxide

“…At the same time, at the initial stage of decomposition, Au NPs appeared to form the liquid droplets, which wetted the samples surface. It is known that the decomposition process occurred more effectively under the droplets, because of strong NP support interactions [18]. At that, an additional oxidation takes place at the triple point line around the droplet forming the ridge.…”

Definition of green synthetic tools based on safer reaction media, heterogeneous catalysis, and flow technology

“…The most interesting results have been obtained when the solid supports not only possess the role of heterogenizing the catalyst but also play a relevant role in influencing the chemical efficiency and the selectivity of a process [54][55][56].…”

Microwave, Ultrasound, and Mechanochemistry: Unconventional Tools that Are Used to Obtain “Smart” Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation

“…Though the outputs of CO 2 reduction are diverse [1], "smart" catalysts have to meet some requirements that can be obtained by optimizing their preparation strategy, for instance. The physico-chemical properties of a heterogeneous catalyst are determined and controlled by its preparation method: therefore, catalysts prepared by different means may have markedly different features and, thus, different catalytic performances [32,33].…”

“…In order to allow an actual development of feasible industrial CO 2 hydrogenation processes, new catalysts should be obtained by methods that are able to control and tailor the physico-chemical properties in order to improve the catalyst performance [32]. Moreover, a deeper understanding of the reaction mechanisms with the help of both experiments and molecular simulations is needed [1], especially as far as the first step of CO 2 reduction, i.e., its adsorption at the catalyst surface, is concerned.…”

“…Notwithstanding the plethora of works concerning CO 2 reduction, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms is still lacking and/or debated [18]. As far as heterogeneous catalysts are concerned, there is a general consensus about the idea that the active site is provided by the primary catalyst (e.g., the metal particle) acting synergistically with the support (and/or the promoter) [32]. Evidence of such synergy is provided in several works, but the actual mechanism is still unclear, even for the synthesis of methanoic acid (HCOOH), which is only the first step of CO 2 hydrogenation [1].…”