Laser-engraved defects in TiO2 support: Enhancing reducibility and redox capability of Pt/TiO2 catalyst for reactive and selective hydrogenation

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been studied as catalyst or catalyst support in catalysis. Its synthesis or modification approach controls the structural, optical, and electronic properties. Here we applied laser engraving to the anatase TiO₂ and studied the consequent changes in its structure and property as well as the properties of TiO₂ supported platinum (i.e., Pt/TiO₂) catalyst. The laser engraving enlarged the particle size, formed rutile phase and created defects (i.e., oxygen vacancy (O_v) and Ti³⁺) in anatase TiO₂. This induced band gap change and enhanced visible light absorption. The defects created by laser engraving are stable and more reducible than those existed in the pristine TiO₂. The defective TiO₂ is structurally stable and has great redox properties. The metal-support interaction in the Pt/defective TiO₂ catalyst is stronger than that of the pristine Pt/TiO₂ catalyst, which enabled higher reactivity and selectivity in hydrogenation of 3-nitrostyrene and furfuryl alcohol. Laser-engraved TiO₂ has been rarely studied for thermal catalysis. This work provides basic understanding of material properties and catalysis application of laser-engraved catalyst supports and catalysts in field of thermal catalysis.