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arXiv · 2507.05052

Looping metal-support interaction in heterogeneous catalysts during redox reactions

Yue Pan·Shiyu Zhen·Xiaozhi Liu·Mengshu Ge·Jianxiong Zhao·Lin Gu·Dan Zhou·Liang Zhang·Dong Su
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Abstract

Metal-support interfaces fundamentally govern the catalytic performance of heterogeneous systems through complex interactions. Here, utilizing operando transmission electron microscopy, we uncovered a type of looping metal-support interaction in NiFe-Fe3O4 catalysts during hydrogen oxidation reaction. At the NiFe-Fe3O4 interfaces, lattice oxygens react with NiFe-activated H atoms, gradually sacrificing themselves and resulting in dynamically migrating interfaces. Meanwhile, reduced iron atoms migrate to the {111} surface of Fe3O4 support and react with oxygen molecules. Consequently, the hydrogen oxidation reaction separates spatially on a single nanoparticle and is intrinsically coupled with the redox reaction of the Fe3O4 support through the dynamic migration of metal-support interfaces. Our work provides previously unidentified mechanistic insight into metal-support interactions and underscores the transformative potential of operando methodologies for studying atomic-scale dynamics.

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Yue Pan, Shiyu Zhen, Xiaozhi Liu, Mengshu Ge, Jianxiong Zhao, Lin Gu, Dan Zhou, Liang Zhang, Dong Su. 2025-07-07. Looping metal-support interaction in heterogeneous catalysts during redox reactions. https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.05052

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