The effects of TiO2 crystal-plane-dependent Ir-TiOx interactions on the selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde over Ir/TiO2 catalysts

Abstract Three supported Ir/TiO2 catalysts, containing anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with predominantly exposed {101}, {100}, and {001} planes, were subjected to various pre-treatments (H2 reduction at different temperatures and O2 re-oxidation) and then tested in the vapor phase selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde. The pre-treatments significantly altered the Ir-TiOx interactions, including the morphologies and electronic properties of the Ir species and their surface acidity. These interactions were also closely related to the crystal planes of TiO2, which further supported the observed reaction behaviors of the various Ir/TiO2 catalysts. The best performance was obtained using the Ir/TiO2-{101} catalyst pre-reduced at 300 °C, owing to its higher Ir0 surface concentration and moderate surface acidity compared to the other catalysts. Moreover, these findings indicated the synergistic role of the Ir-TiOx interface in the reaction, as the interfacial sites were responsible for the adsorption/activation of H2 and the C=O bond in the crotonaldehyde molecule. However, pre-reduction at 400 °C resulted in partial encapsulation of the Ir particles by TiOx via strong metal-support interactions, which is unfavorable for the catalytic reaction owing to the loss of Ir-TiOx interfacial sites.