Facet Dependent TiO ₂ Catalyst for Efficient Photothermal Reverse Water Gas Shift Reactions

Strong metal–support interactions (SMSI) are widely employed to stabilize metal nanoparticles and enhance catalytic performance in reactions such as the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS), yet their formation typically requires high-temperature treatments (500–700 °C), often leading to metal sintering and catalyst deactivation. Here, we report a light-driven strategy to induce and stabilize dynamic SMSI in Pt/TiO2 catalysts at low temperatures (∼250 °C), where facet dependent behavior plays a decide role. By coexposing {101} and {001} facets of anatase TiO2, efficient charge separation is achieved: photoexcited electrons preferentially migrate to the {101} facet, driving the formation of a TiOx overlayer. This facet-directed overlayer stabilizes Pt nanoparticles without passivating active sites, as confirmed by in situ XPS and H2-TPR. In contrast, Pt/TiO2{101} without {001} facet exhibits weaker charge separation, less effective SMSI formation, and rapid Pt sintering, resulting in inferior activity. Benefiting from the {001}-{101} facet synergy, Pt/TiO2{001}-{101} exhibits a 270% enhancement in CO2 hydrogenation with near-unity CO selectivity and stable performance over 10 h. These results highlight the critical role of facet engineering in controlling SMSI dynamics and catalytic function, providing a general photothermal route to design adaptive metal–oxide interfaces beyond the limits of thermal activation.