This review focuses on recent efforts to enhance photocatalytic activities of metal nanoparticle-mediated photocatalysts through “strong metal-support interaction” (SMSI). Herein, we discuss the fundamentals of “strong metal-support interaction” and the methodology to practice the concept, involving synthesis and characterization techniques. The strengths and limitations of SMSI are also discussed, thus outlining future perspectives.

Abstract

Engineering the composition and geometry of metallic sites has become a popular manner to boost reaction rate and control reaction selectivity in heterogeneous catalysis. Many studies have been devoted to enhancing the stability of metallic nanoparticles during catalytic reactions by dispersion on metal oxide supports such as TiO₂, CeO₂ or Nb₂O₅. These supports not only modulate electronic properties and dispersion/stabilization of metallic nanoparticle but also influence catalytic selectivity, resulting in the so-called “strong metal-support interaction” (SMSI). In this minireview, we outlined the discovery and fundamentals of SMSI, as well as its extensive development over years. In addition, we summarized recent approaches developed to induce the construction of SMSI between different metal nanoparticles and metal oxide supports. Associated characterization microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were emphasized. Despite being a prevalent concept in catalysis, the number of studies on SMSI in heterogeneous photocatalysis has been even in limitation. Herein, we highlighted the beneficial effects of SMSI on boosting photocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction and H₂ evolution reactions. In general, despite some controversial aspects of the SMSI, this concept offers wide opportunities ahead and encourages researchers to rethink the local active site localization and photocatalyst design.