Facet-dependent strong metal-support interactions control the C–O bond activation

Reducible metal oxides are selective and effective for C–O bond scission of hydrodeoxygenation reactions via the reverse Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. Creating efficient redox centers while minimizing metal surfaces leads to highly selective catalysts. Single noble metal atoms activate the surface M–O bond, but the catalyst activity is limited due to low loading. Here, we report that the strong metal-support interaction between Ir and CeO2 is facet sensitive, and certain facets regulate the C–O bond cleavage. At 300°C reduction, Ir is mostly encapsulated on an octahedron by (111) facets but remains exposed by (110) facets. The former is selective, whereas the latter is not. Density functional theory indicates that Ir encapsulation is favored on (111) under reaction conditions, and oxygen vacancies more readily form on encapsulated Ir than on pristine ceria.