Unravelling Cu-CeO2 Interfacial Structure for Photothermal Reverse Water-Gas Shift Catalysis (2026)
Abstract
We recently developed Cu3CeO2 photothermal catalysts achieving exceptional catalytic activity and 100% CO selectivity for the reverse water3gas shift reaction. The catalysts are based on soft-templated CeO2 engineered to generate a high density of oxygen vacancies and strong metal3support interaction, enabling Cu anchoring, enhanced CO2 activation, abundant vacancies, and efficient H2 activation. Although XRD, XPS, and TEM show no detectable Cu nanoparticles, suggesting single-atom or ultra-small Cu species, the exact Cu speciation and Cu3CeO2 interfacial environment remain unknown. We seek MEX1 beamline to determine the oxidation state, coordination, and metal3support interaction underlying this excellent performance.
