Construction of Co3O4/Pt catalyst with interfacial N‐stabilized Co3+‐OH‐Pt pair for highly efficient CO2 methanation

CO2 hydrogenation is a promising method for converting CO2 into valuable products. Cobalt‐based catalysts are favored for their low cost and high activity, but they face challenges from sintering‐induced deactivation. This study investigates N‐doped Co3O4/Pt catalysts synthesized using a Pt‐decorated ZIF‐67 sacrificial template, followed by a water‐soaking treatment to enhance surface hydroxyl (‐OH) group content. The as‐designed N‐Co3O4/Pt catalyst achieved a CO2 conversion of 64% and CH4 selectivity of 98% at 340oC under ambient pressure. It was demonstrated that the interfacial N‐stabilized Co3+‐OH‐Pt active sites in N‐Co3O4/Pt improved synergy between cobalt and platinum, enhancing resistance to agglomeration and resulting in enhanced catalytic performance. In‐situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) demonstrated that CO2 is converted to methane mainly through a formic acid pathway, with no CO detected. This work underscores the critical role of surface hydroxyl groups in promoting CO2 adsorption and activation, guiding the CO2 methanation reaction toward efficient methane production.