Partial PdAu nanoparticle embedding into TiO2 support accentuates catalytic contributions from the Au/TiO2 interface

Most supported catalysts are produced by forming or attaching nanoparticles onto surfaces of supports. However, controlling the interfacial contact between the nanoparticles and support-which has been reported to be the active site for many catalytic reactions-remains synthetically challenging. Here, we employ a colloidal templating approach to derive catalysts comprising PdAu nanoparticles partially embedded within SiO2 or TiO2 supports. Compared to a conventional catalyst prepared by attaching PdAu nanoparticles onto TiO2 surfaces, partial entrenchment of nanoparticles into TiO2 increased the nanoparticle–support interfacial perimeter and enhanced the catalytic activity by 4.1-fold. Our results illustrate partial nanoparticle embedding as a synthetic strategy to increase the number of Au/TiO2 interfacial sites and amplify their catalytic contributions, while enhancing catalyst stability.