SMSI can lead to both enhancements and deactivations of catalytic activity. In some cases, the electron transfer between the metal and the support can modify the metal's electronic structure, enhancing its catalytic properties. For example, a titanium dioxide (TiO2) supported platinum (Pt) catalyst can show increased activity for hydrogenation reactions. Conversely, SMSI can also cause the partial encapsulation of metal particles by the support material, which may reduce the number of active sites available for the reaction, leading to a decrease in catalytic performance.
