Electronic metal-support interactions and their promotional effect on CO2 methanation on Ru/ZrO2 catalysts

Discrimination between electronic and structural effects in metal-support interactions (MSIs) is often hampered by contributions from either one. We report results of a combined experimental/theoretical study that directly demonstrate the action MSIs (EMSIs), while modifications like partial overgrowth metal nanoparticles partly reduced oxide due to SMSI, can be excluded. This demonstrated for CO2 methanation on Ru/ZrO2 with small Ru NPs (~2nm), where high-temperature reductive treatment significantly increased rate. Based operando / situ spectroscopies other characterizations, SMSI induced excluded; enhanced activity charge transfer O-vacancies ZrOx surface region adjacent nanoparticles. DFT calculations reveal transferred localized at interface, leading stronger Ru-CO bonding COad methanation. believe these trends are generally relevant reactions atmosphere.