Surface modification of metallic catalysts for the design of selective processes

Fine-tuned interaction between reacting molecules and metal surface is of great importance in heterogeneous catalysis for the design of highly selective processes. Conventional strategies based on adjusting the intrinsic catalyst properties such as particle size, metal-support interaction and morphology suffer from complicated and time-consuming synthetic procedures. Recently, the modification of metal nanoparticles with non-metallic promoters has been demonstrated as an effective tool to regulate the interfacial environment of metallic catalysis. Herein, we will give an overview of recent progress in this area. A general analysis will be proposed about the electronic, steric effects and new functionalities imposed by non-metallic promoters of metal catalysts. The potential for the selectivity enhancement of the promoted metal catalysts in various industrially important reactions is discussed.