Releasing the limited catalytic activity of CeO2-supported noble metal catalysts via UV-induced deep dechlorination

During regular synthesis, the supported catalysts may suffer from incomplete exposure of metal sites, whose activity may accordingly be limited by the stubborn residues and inert coordination environment. Here we report a photochemical strategy to fabricate promoted Pt-CeO2 catalysts, where UV-induced deep dechlorination and the following surface oxygen activation are achieved. With a photo-deposition method, the usually neglected stubborn Cl residues are easily removed from Pt-CeO2. The adjacent oxygen species are activated under UV illumination, whose flexible elimination creates sufficient surface vacancies, resulting in enhanced H2O dissociation. The derived catalyst shows excellent performances for the water–gas shift (WGS) reaction. Such strategy shows universality toward different metals, supports and reactions. This work sheds light on the synthesis of robust catalysts, by applying photochemical method for Cl removal and surface oxygen activation. The universal strategy shows great potentials in developing promoted solid catalysts for various heterogeneous reactions.