Metal-support and preparation influence on the structural and electronic properties of gold catalysts

Nanostructured gold catalysts supported on CeO2 and SiO2 were prepared by the deposition–precipitation (DP) and the solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD) techniques. The structural and electronic properties of the catalysts were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Gold was found as small metal nanoparticles (cluster size 2 nm) in the SMAD-prepared samples and in ionic state in the DP catalysts. The catalytic activity of the samples was tested in the reaction of low temperature CO oxidation. Gold nanosized particles in a pure metallic state exhibited a worse catalytic performance, both on ceria and silica. The presence of non-metallic Au species seems to be the main requisite for the achievement of the highest CO conversion at the lowest temperature. The higher activity of the Au/CeO2 (DP) sample with respect to the Au/SiO2 (DP) catalyst can be ascribed to a better stabilization of the Au+1 ions, probably as AuO- species, by the cerium oxide.