Titania-supported rhodium, ruthenium and rhodium-ruthenium catalysts were prepared by impregnation followed by reduction at 573 K (low temperature reduced-LTR) and 773 K (high temperature reduced — HTR). Temperature programmed desorption of hydrogen showed the existence of strong-metal-support-interaction (SMSI) in rhodium and ruthenium catalysts, but not in the bimetallic catalyst. In either case, metal-hydrogen bond strength had undergone change in going from an LTR to HTR sample. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results did not show any electron transfer between metal and support in any of the catalysts but electron transfer from rhodium to ruthenium was indicated in the bimetallic catalyst under HTR.
