Hydrogen Doping into MoO3 Supports toward Modulated Metal-Support Interactions and Efficient Furfural Hydrogenation on Iridium Nanocatalysts

As promising supports, reducible metal oxides afford strong metal-support interactions to achieve efficient catalysis, which relies on their band states and surface stoichiometry. In this study, in situ and controlled hydrogen doping (H doping) by means of H-2 spillover was employed to engineer the metal-support interactions in hydrogenated MoOx-supported Ir (Ir/H-MoOx) catalysts and thus promote furfural hydrogenation to furfuryl alcohol. By easily varying the reduction temperature, the resulting H doping in a controlled manner tailors low-valence Mo species (Mo5+ and Mo4+) on H-MoOx supports, thereby promoting charge redistribution on Ir and H-MoOx interfaces. This further leads to clear differences in H-2 chemisorption on Ir, which illustrates its potential for catalytic hydrogenation. As expected, the optimal Ir/H-MoOx with controlled H doping afforded high activity (turnover frequency: 4.62min(-1)) and selectivity (>99%) in furfural hydrogenation under mild conditions (T=30 degrees C, PH2 =2MPa), which means it performs among the best of current catalysts.