Boosting Toluene Combustion by Tuning Electronic Metal–Support Interactions in In Situ Grown Pt@Co₃O₄ Catalysts

Electronic metal–support interaction (EMSI) has attracted great attention in volatile organic compound (VOC) abatement. Herein, Pt@Co₃O₄ catalysts were prepared via a metal–organic framework (MOF) in situ growth approach to boost toluene degradation. The partial electron transfer from Co₃O₄ to Pt species was induced by the EMSI effect to generate the electron-rich Pt and Co³⁺ species. The electrophilic O₂ molecules could be activated by picking up the electrons from electron-rich Pt species to form nucleophilic oxygen species, which is conducive to attack C–H bonds in toluene. The redox ability and surface oxygen species activity of catalysts were improved due to strong EMSI. As expected, the excellent toluene activity was achieved, meanwhile exhibiting satisfactory water resistance and long-term stability for toluene combustion. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy results elucidated that surface lattice oxygen species should deeply participate in toluene degradation, which could be efficiently replenished by gaseous oxygen. This work may provide a new idea for exploring the relationship between the electron transfer effect and efficient catalytic performance of VOCs.