Tuning Pt-TiO₂ Interactions to Switch Inhibition to Synergy in Toluene–Acetone Mixture Combustion

The inhibitory interactions among various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during combustion in industrial exhaust gases pose a significant challenge for catalytic technologies, primarily due to a lack of effective approaches to counter these adverse effects. The interaction between Pt and TiO₂ was readily tuned through hydrogen reduction of the TiO₂ matrix (Pt/TiO₂-800), which ultimately transformed the inhibitory effect into a synergistic effect in a toluene-acetone mixture. Optimal catalytic activity was achieved at 0.6 wt % Pt loading, with 0.6Pt/TiO₂-800 lowering reaction temperatures by 21 °C for toluene and 24 °C for acetone in mixed VOC oxidation. Characterization reveals that Pt/TiO₂-800 possesses abundant oxygen vacancy clusters, enhancing TiO₂-Pt electron transfer, diversifying Pt nanoparticle sizes, stabilizing low-valent Pt species, and improving oxidative capacity. DFT calculations further underscore the role of oxygen vacancy in modulating the Pt electronic environment and enhancing defect-enhanced adsorption. This work advances Pt-TiO₂ interaction understanding and offers an effective catalyst for VOCs abatement, addressing inhibitory effects in mixed VOCs systems.