Strong metal-support interaction in Ni/TiO2 catalysts: in situ EXAFS and related studies

In situ EXAFS and X-ray diffraction investigations of Ni/TiO₂ catalysts show that NiTiO₃ is formed as an intermediate during calcination of catalyst precursors prepared by the wet-impregnation method; the intermediate is not formed when ion-exchange method is used for the preparation. On hydrogen reduction, NiTiO₃ gives rise to Ni particles dispersed in the TiO₂(rutile) matrix. The occurrence of the anatase-rutile transformation of the TiO₂ support, the formation and subsequent decomposition/reduction of NiTiO₃ as well as the unique interface properties of the Ni particles are all factors of importance in giving rise to metal-support interaction. Active TiO₂(anatase) prepared from gel route gives an additional species involving Ni³⁺.