Activity enhancement of core–shell Pd@mCeO2 catalysts for phenol hydrogenation to cyclohexanone by tuning metal-support interactions

•A core–shell Pd@mCeO2 catalyst composed of mCeO2 shell and Pd metal core was prepared by one-pot wet chemical method.•Close metal-support interfaces further regulated the electronic structure of Pd metal and produced good electronic effects.•Synergistic catalytic pattern of carrier activated substrate and hydrogenation site improved the catalytic efficiency.