Fig. 4: Analysis of mediating mechanism of adsorbed water.

In-situ FT-IR spectra of a Dir-reduction, b Dir-reduction (PM), c Dir-reduction (IMP900), d Dir-reduction (PM900) during H2-direct reduction process; In-situ NH3-DRIFS of e SBA-15 and f Dir-reduction catalyst in the heating process, g peak area of hydroxyl group over SBA-15 and Dir-reduction catalyst from NH3-DRIFS; h DFT calculations of the free energy of dehydroxylation.