Strong Metal-Support Interactions: From Characterization, Manipulation to Application in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis and Atmospheric CO2 hydrogenation

Strong metal-support interactions (SMSI) featuring the formation of encapsulation overlayer around metal nanoparticles has drawn much attention in heterogeneous catalysis. Recent years, various novel SMSI phenomena have been observed and the nature of SMSI also has been revealed with the improvement of characterization techniques. Understanding the SMSI effect could deepen the insight into the structure-activity relationship of metal-supported catalysts, and rationally guide the design of special metal-interface sites to manipulate catalytic behavior in chemical reaction. In this review, the research progress of SMSI and its application in heterogeneous COx hydrogenation are briefly surveyed, with emphasis on the advanced characterization, manipulation strategy and specific role of SMSI in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process, CO2 methanation and Reverse Water Gas Shift reaction. The current challenges and perspectives for the development of SMSI are also discussed.