Role of the Support in Gold-Containing Nanoparticles as Heterogeneous Catalysts

Abstract

In this review, we discuss selected examples from recent literature on the role of the support on directing the nanostructures of Au-based monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles. The role of support is then discussed in relation to the catalytic properties of Au-based monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles using different gas phase and liquid phase reactions. The reactions discussed include CO oxidation, aerobic oxidation of monohydric and polyhydric alcohols, selective hydrogenation of alkynes, hydrogenation of nitroaromatics, CO2 hydrogenation, C–C coupling, and methane oxidation. Only studies where the role of support has been explicitly studied in detail have been selected for discussion. However, the role of support is also examined using examples of reactions involving unsupported metal nanoparticles (i.e., colloidal nanoparticles). It is clear that the support functionality can play a crucial role in tuning the catalytic activity that is observed and that advanced theory and characterization add greatly to our understanding of these fascinating catalysts.

Dynamics of Pd Dopant Atoms inside Au Nanoclusters during Catalytic CO Oxidation

“…Among many support materials, reducible oxides such as TiO 2 have been found particularly suitable for CO oxidation. 1 , 2 , 41 , 42 An active Au/TiO 2 (among other 3d transition metal oxides) catalyst was already described by Haruta and co-workers, who noticed very high activity of 3.5 nm Au nanoparticles prepared by deposition–precipitation even at 0 °C. 43 − 45 The active sites in this low-temperature CO oxidation processes are supposed to be the perimeter sites between the Au nanoparticles and the support.…”

“…CO oxidation is one of most extensively studied reactions, also in Au nanoparticle catalysis, reflected in recent reviews. 1 , 2 The exact reaction mechanism, especially with regard to O 2 activation, is still intensively debated. Among many support materials, reducible oxides such as TiO 2 have been found particularly suitable for CO oxidation.…”

Spin-Orbit Coupling Effects in Au 4f Core-Level Electronic Structures in Supported Low-Dimensional Gold Nanoparticles

“…In turn, this has helped in understanding their novel physicochemical properties in a more detailed manner [ 1 , 2 ]. Recent interest has focused more on the application, postprocessing, and anchoring of nanoparticles (NPs) with different morphologies on different dielectric matrices in order to exploit the synergistic effects from both the nanoparticle surface and the underlying substrate materials [ 3 , 4 ]. These modifications ultimately result in novel structural, optical, electronic, and catalytic properties [ 5 , 6 ].…”

The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide over Au and Pd nanoparticles: A DFT study

“…20 The important influence of supports on the reactivity of Au nanoparticles has recently been reviewed. 21 Both Au and Pd nanoparticles and their alloys have been shown to catalyse aldehyde and alcohol oxidations. Au/C catalysts have been shown to be superior to Pt/C for the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids in water.…”