Control of titania nanodomain size as a route to modulate SMSI effect in Pt/TiO2 catalysts

Platinum based mesostructured SiO2 supported TiO2 nanoclusters (TiO2 content ranging from 10 to 50 wt.%) were synthesized and characterized. Titania nanodomains (< 4 nm) dispersed in the silica porosity are obtained. Derived 1 wt.% Pt/xTiO2-SiO2 nanocomposites were tested in the cyclohexane dehydrogenation reaction, a structure insensitive reaction to evaluate metal-support interaction. Pt/xTiO2-SiO2 nanocomposites display largely higher SMSI effect than measured over classical Pt/TiO2 P25 catalyst. While platinum particle size is found to be affected by the titania loading in the composite, similar SMSI effect is measured for all solids displaying similar TiO2 crystal size. Titania crystal size is evidenced as an important parameter allowing a control of the SMSI effect: the lower the crystal size, the stronger the metal-support interaction.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► Synthesis of mesoporous silica supported titania nanoparticles, thermally stabilized and accessible.
► Comparison of the catalytic properties obtained over titania nanocomposites and conventional bulk titania.
► Exponential increase in metal-support interaction (Pt–TiO2) while decreasing the TiO2 crystal size.
► Open perspectives to achieve a fine SMSI control through support and active phase morphological control.