Strong Metal-Support Interaction in Heterogeneous Catalysts

Strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) in supported metal catalysts, typically accompanied by the formation of encapsulation layers over metal nanoparticles, has drawn intense research attention owing to a variety of intriguing behaviors. In particular, recent years have witnessed enormous progress in constructing SMSI between novel components as well as in understanding the nature of SMSI. Notably, SMSI also provides substantial possibilities for designing and modulating advanced heterogeneous catalysts toward a wide range of applications. Therefore, a systematic and critical overview is highly desirable to highlight the recent advances in SMSI and to discuss its applications in heterogeneous catalysts. In this review, the formation process of SMSI is described based on the typical material systems, and then the surface energy minimization mechanism is discussed by fully taking account of new material systems as well as novel construction strategies. Moreover, the principles of using SMSI to control the activity, selectivity, and stability of supported metal catalysts are demonstrated with an emphasis on thermocatalysis and electrocatalysis. To conclude, personal perspectives on the opportunities and challenges for SMSI are provided.