Abstract
MAX phases are layered
ternary carbides or nitrides that are attractive
for catalysis applications due to their unusual set of properties.
They show high thermal stability like ceramics, but they are also
tough, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity like metals.
Here, we study the potential of the Ti
3
AlC
2
MAX
phase as a support for molybdenum oxide for the reverse water–gas
shift (RWGS) reaction, comparing this new catalyst to more traditional
materials. The catalyst showed higher turnover frequency values than
MoO
3
/TiO
2
and MoO
3
/Al
2
O
3
catalysts, due to the outstanding electronic properties
of the Ti
3
AlC
2
support. We observed a charge
transfer effect from the electronically rich Ti
3
AlC
2
MAX phase to the catalyst surface, which in turn enhances
the reducibility of MoO
3
species during reaction. The redox
properties of the MoO
3
/Ti
3
AlC
2
catalyst
improve its RWGS intrinsic activity compared to TiO
2
- and
Al
2
O
3
-based catalysts.
MAXimize your conversion! The hydrogenation
of CO
2
via
reverse water−gas shift
can be catalyzed
efficiently by molybdenum oxide supported on a MAX phase.