Metal−Support Interactions in Zeolite-Supported Noble Metals:  Influence of Metal Crystallites on the Support Acidity

The metal−support interactions on a series of catalysts of different acidities, including platinum-modified zeolites and H−MCM-41, are investigated by means of XPS, CO and pyridine adsorption, and a model reaction (ring opening of decalin). The electronic properties of Pt are influenced by the acidity of the support, and the alteration of Pt properties increases with increasing acidity of the support, as can be seen from the changes in the Pt binding energy and stretching frequency of adsorbed CO. At the same time, the presence of platinum affects the acidic properties of the supports by reducing the strength of the acid sites. This is observed directly as the changes in desorption of pyridine from the acid sites and indirectly as the suppression of cracking reactions during the ring opening of decalin on the Pt-modified catalysts. The observed results are discussed in terms of the interatomic potential model.