Gold was deposited on ultrastable Y (USY) zeolite using a newly developed method: just mixing an aqueous solution of HAuCl 4 and zeolite at 353 K in which the NH 4 + cation reacted with the Cl − in HAuCl 4 . Treatment of the Au-loaded USY zeolite in the atmosphere of hydrogen resulted in the formation of Au 0 nanoclusters with 1.8 nm diameter at 773 K. The size of Au particle was dependent on the type of zeolite support, composition of gas atmosphere, and temperature of calcination, which was correlated with catalytic performance. This study demonstrated the potential use of zeolites with strong Brønsted acid character as gold supports.

Structural changes in the gold particles of Au-loaded ultrastable Y (USY) zeolite were analyzed by X-ray absorption fine structure, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Au particles undergo spontaneous dispersion on the USY support under H2 atmosphere at a temperature of 773 K to give Au particles with an average diameter of 1.8 nm and narrow size distribution.

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