Nanotubular Pt-loaded TiO 2 catalysts with vanadium-doping to enhance water–gas shift reaction activity

We increased the reactivity of Pt-loaded TiO 2 catalysts for the water–gas shift reaction (WGSR) by inducing the TiO 2 support to form nanotubes, and by doping it with vanadium (V). To understand the reaction mechanisms and the factors contributing to the increased catalytic activity, we used in situ DRIFTS, XPS, pulsed reaction, and isotopic exchange experiments. The Pt-loaded V-doped tube-shaped TiO 2 catalyst exhibited a significantly elevated WGSR activity; this result can be attributed to the catalyst's increased surface area, higher dispersion of loaded metal, and H 2 O dissociation ability. This study suggests that the modified Pt-loaded TiO 2 catalysts have significant potential for use in the WGSR process, and that the combination of TiO 2 shape control and V-doping can lead to improved catalytic activity. It also provides a method to directly elucidate the impact of active factors on catalysts by systematic mechanism studies.