Transmitting metal–oxide interaction by solitary chemical waves: H2 oxidation on ZrO2 supported Rh

•A long-ranging support effect is observed in H2 oxidation reaction on ZrO2 supported Rh: the atomically narrow metal–oxide interface influences the reaction kinetics thousands nm away from the interface.•The transmission of the support effect occurs via solitary chemical waves, which accompany the kinetic transitions and always nucleate at the metal/oxide interface.•The modified kinetics of H2 oxidation at the metal/oxide interface results from the modified binding energy of oxygen and hydrogen at the metal adsorption sites adjacent to the metal/oxide interface.