Catalytic NO Reduction by NO Pre-Adsorbed RhCeO₂NO⁻ Clusters

A fundamental understanding on the dynamically structural evolution of catalysts induced by reactant gases under working conditions is challenging but pivotal in catalyst design. Herein, in combination with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry for cluster reactions, cryogenic photoelectron imaging spectroscopy, and quantum-chemical calculations, we identified that NO adsorption on rhodium-cerium bimetallic oxide cluster RhCeO₂⁻ can create a Ce³⁺ ion in product RhCeO₂NO⁻ that serves as the starting point to trigger the catalysis of NO reduction by CO. Theoretical calculations substantiated that the reduction of another two NO molecules into N₂O takes place exclusively on the Ce³⁺ ion while Rh behaves like a promoter to buffer electrons and cooperates with Ce³⁺ to drive NO reduction. Our finding demonstrates the importance of NO in regulating the catalytic behavior of Rh under reaction conditions and provides much-needed insights into the essence of NO reduction over Rh/CeO₂, one of the most efficient components in three-way catalysts for NO_x removal.