Characteristics of Au/MgxAlO hydrotalcite catalysts in CO selective oxidation

Gold catalysts, supported on a solid base of Mg_xAlO hydrotalcite, were prepared by a modified deposition precipitation method for CO selective oxidation. The preparation parameters and pretreatment of the catalysts were investigated. The pH and the HAuCl₄ concentration in the initial solution, and the Mg/Al molar ratio of Mg_xAlO affected the pH in the final solution and determined the actual gold loading of the catalyst. The calcination temperatures of the Mg_xAlO support and the Au/Mg_xAlO catalyst dominated the Au³⁺/Au⁰ ratio on the catalyst. The pretreatment of the catalyst as well as the gold loading and the Au³⁺/Au⁰ ratio, critically determined the activity of the catalyst for CO selective oxidation. Based on XPS and in situ DR-FTIR analyses, a mechanism for CO selective oxidation on 2%Au/Mg₂AlO was proposed. The hydroxyl group on Mg₂AlO also participated in the reaction.     

Novel Nanoporous Binary Au?Ru Electrocatalysts for Glucose Oxidation

In this work, we study the fabrication, structural characterization, and electrochemical activity of titanium‐supported binary Au? Ru catalysts for glucose oxidation. The catalysts including Au₉₉Ru₁, Au₉₅Ru₅, Au₉₃Ru₇ and Au₈₈Ru₁₂ were prepared by a hydrothermal method using formaldehyde as a reduction agent. The morphologies of the prepared Au? Ru catalyst structures are characterized by porous dendritic particles with roughened surfaces with nano‐sized flakes. Electrochemical catalytic activity of the binary Au? Ru catalysts towards glucose oxidation in alkaline solutions was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. All binary Au? Ru catalysts facilitate glucose oxidation at the lower potentials and deliver higher anodic oxidation currents compared to pure Au catalyst. Among them, the binary Au₉₅Ru₅ catalyst presents the most negative onset potential of ?0.872 V (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3 M KCl) for glucose oxidation in 0.1 M NaOH solution. For the Au₉₅Ru₅ catalyst, chronoamperometric data at the potential step of ?0.65 V (vs. Ag/AgCl,3 M KCl) exhibit a well linear dependence of the anodic oxidation current density on glucose concentration in the range of 0 to 15 mM glucose.     

Nanoceria Supported Gold Catalysts for CO Oxidation

Two types of CeO₂ nanocubes (average size of 5 and 20 nm, respectively) prepared via the hydrothermal process were selected to load gold species via a deposition‐precipitation (DP) method. Various measurements, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS), and temperature‐programmed reduction by hydrogen (H₂‐TPR), were applied to characterize the catalysts. It is found that the sample with ceria size of 20 nm (Au/CeO₂‐20) was covered by well dispersed both Au³⁺ and Au^δ+ (0 < δ < 1). For the other sample with ceria size of 5 nm (Au/CeO₂‐5), Au³⁺ is the dominant gold species. Au/CeO₂‐20 performed better catalytic activity for CO oxidation because of the strong CO adsorption of Au^δ+ in the catalysts. The catalytic activity of Au/CeO₂‐5 was improved due to the transformation of Au³⁺ to Au^δ+. Based on the CO oxidation and in situ DRIFTS results, Au^δ+ is likely to play a more important role in catalyzing CO oxidation reaction.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Carbon‐Supported Dendritic Pd‐Au Nanoalloys for Electrocatalytic Ethanol Oxidation

One‐pot synthesis of carbon‐supported Pd‐Au alloy nanoparticles with well‐defined dendritic shape (Pd‐Au_den/C) was achieved by co‐reduction of K₂PdCl₄/HAuCl₄ mixtures in a molar ratio of 1:1 with hydrazine in the presence of Vulcan XC‐72R. The prepared Pd‐Au_den/C exhibited significantly enhanced performance in the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol compared with dendritic Pd nanoparticles and a commercial Pd/C catalyst. Pd‐Au_den/C even showed higher durability in electro‐oxidation of ethanol than the supported catalyst prepared by the deposition of presynthesized dendritic Pd‐Au nanoparticles on the carbon support. The experimental results clearly indicate that enhanced interaction between nanoparticle catalysts and carbon support through the one‐pot synthesis protocol can improve the durability of the electrocatalysts.     

Activity of Au,Ni, and Au-Ni catalysts in the water-gas shift reaction and carbon monoxide oxidation

Au/Al₂O₃, NiO _x /Al₂O₃, and (Au + NiO _x )/Al₂O₃ composites have been prepared by ion exchange and impregnation. Their structural and electronic properties, including the size and shape of supported metal particles and the oxidation state and ligand environment of the Au and Ni atoms, have been investigated. The catalytic action of Au/Al₂O₃, NiO _x /Al₂O₃, and (Au + NiO _x )/Al₂O₃ in the water-gas shift reaction and carbon monoxide oxidation is reported. At 300–450°C, the CO conversion over (Au + NiO _x )/Al₂O₃ exceeds the sum of the CO conversions over the monometallic catalysts Au/Al₂O₃ and NiO _x /Al₂O₃ by a factor of 2–3. An explanation is suggested for the nonadditive increase in the CO conversion over the Au-Ni catalysts.     

Gold, palladium and gold–palladium supported on silica catalysts prepared by sol–gel method: synthesis, characterization and catalytic behavior in the ethanol steam reforming

Noble-metal-based catalysts supported on silica (Au/SiO₂, Pd/SiO₂ and Au–Pd/SiO₂) were prepared by the sol–gel method and were evaluated in the steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption (BET/BJH methods), X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed reduction analysis, H₂ chemisorption, atomic absorption spectrophotometry and Raman spectroscopy. The structural characterization of the Au- and Pd-containing catalysts after calcination showed that the solids are predominantly formed by Au⁰, Pd⁰ and PdO species and was observed that the metallic Pd dispersion diminished in the presence of Au⁰. The results revealed that the catalytic behavior could be influenced by the experimental conditions and the nature of the catalyst employed. The Pd/SiO₂ catalyst showed the best performance among the catalysts tested at the highest reaction temperature (600 °C) due to the more effective action of the metallic active phase, which covers a greater area in this sample. At this same reaction temperature, the Au–Pd/SiO₂ catalyst showed a significant deactivation, probably due to the lower Pd dispersion presented by this catalyst.     

Low‐Temperature Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide with Gold(III) Ions Supported on Titanium Oxide

Au/TiO₂ catalysts prepared by a deposition–precipitation process and used for CO oxidation without previous calcination exhibited high, largely temperature‐independent conversions at low temperatures, with apparent activation energies of about zero. Thermal treatments, such as He at 623 K, changed the conversion–temperature characteristics to the well‐known S‐shape, with activation energies slightly below 30 kJ mol^?1. Sample characterization by XAFS and electron microscopy and a low‐temperature IR study of CO adsorption and oxidation showed that CO can be oxidized by gas‐phase O₂ at 90 K already over the freeze‐dried catalyst in the initial state that contained Au exclusively in the +3 oxidation state. CO conversion after activation in the feed at 303 K is due to Au^III‐containing sites at low temperatures, while Au⁰ dominates conversion at higher temperatures. After thermal treatments, CO conversion in the whole investigated temperature range results from sites containing exclusively Au⁰.     

Aurophilic Interactions in the Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanoclusters into Nanoribbons with Enhanced Luminescence

Aurophilic interactions (Au^I???Au^I) are crucial in directing the supramolecular self‐assembly of many gold(I) compounds; however, this intriguing chemistry has been rarely explored for the self‐assembly of nanoscale building blocks. Herein, we report on studies on aurophilic interactions in the structure‐directed self‐assembly of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles or nanoclusters (NCs, <2 nm) using [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? (SR=thiolate ligand) as a model cluster. The self‐assembly of NCs is initiated by surface‐motif reconstruction of [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? from short SR‐[Au^I‐SR]₂ units to long SR‐[Au^I‐SR]_x (x>2) staples accompanied by structure modification of the intrinsic Au₁₃ kernel. Such motif reconstruction increases the content of Au^I species in the protecting shell of Au NCs, providing the structural basis for directed aurophilic interactions, which promote the self‐assembly of Au NCs into well‐defined nanoribbons in solution. More interestingly, the compact structure and effective aurophilic interactions in the nanoribbons significantly enhance the luminescence intensity of Au NCs with an absolute quantum yield of 6.2 % at room temperature.     

Atomic‐Level Alloying and De‐alloying in Doped Gold Nanoparticles

Atomically precise alloying and de‐alloying processes for the formation of Ag–Au and Cu–Au nanoparticles of 25‐metal‐atom composition (referred to as Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ and Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈, in which R=CH₂CH₂Ph) are reported. The identities of the particles were determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy (MALDI‐MS). Their structures were probed by fragmentation analysis in MALDI‐MS and comparison with the icosahedral structure of the homogold Au₂₅(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles (an icosahedral Au₁₃ core protected by a shell of Au₁₂(SR)₁₈). The Cu and Ag atoms were found to preferentially occupy the 13‐atom icosahedral sites, instead of the exterior shell. The number of Ag atoms in Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ (x=0–8) was dependent on the molar ratio of Ag^I/Au^III precursors in the synthesis, whereas the number of Cu atoms in Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ (x=0–4) was independent of the molar ratio of Cu^II/Au^III precursors applied. Interestingly, the Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles show a spontaneous de‐alloying process over time, and the initially formed Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles were converted to pure Au₂₅(SR)₁₈. This de‐alloying process was not observed in the case of alloyed Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles. This contrast can be attributed to the stability difference between Cu_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ and Ag_xAu_25?x(SR)₁₈ nanoparticles. These alloyed nanoparticles are promising candidates for applications such as catalysis.     

Carbon Monoxide Oxidation by Polyoxometalate‐Supported Gold Nanoparticulate Catalysts: Activity,Stability, and Temperature‐ Dependent Activation Properties

Nanoparticulate gold supported on a Keggin‐type polyoxometalate (POM), Cs₄[α‐SiW₁₂O₄₀]⋅n H₂O, was prepared by the sol immobilization method. The size of the gold nanoparticles (NPs) was approximately 2 nm, which was almost the same as the size of the gold colloid precursor. Deposition of gold NPs smaller than 2 nm onto POM (Au/POM) was essential for a high catalytic activity for CO oxidation. The temperature for 50 % CO conversion was −67 °C. The catalyst showed extremely high stability for at least one month at 0 °C with full conversion. The catalytic activity and the reaction mechanism drastically changed at temperatures higher than 40 °C, showing a unique behavior called a U‐shaped curve. It was revealed by IR measurement that Au^δ+ was a CO adsorption site and that adsorbed water promoted CO oxidation for the Au/POM catalyst. This is the first report on CO oxidation utilizing Au/POMs catalysts, and there is a potential for expansion to various gas‐phase reactions.     

Carbon Monoxide Oxidation by Polyoxometalate‐Supported Gold Nanoparticulate Catalysts: Activity,Stability, and Temperature‐ Dependent Activation Properties

Nanoparticulate gold supported on a Keggin‐type polyoxometalate (POM), Cs₄[α‐SiW₁₂O₄₀]?n H₂O, was prepared by the sol immobilization method. The size of the gold nanoparticles (NPs) was approximately 2 nm, which was almost the same as the size of the gold colloid precursor. Deposition of gold NPs smaller than 2 nm onto POM (Au/POM) was essential for a high catalytic activity for CO oxidation. The temperature for 50 % CO conversion was ?67 °C. The catalyst showed extremely high stability for at least one month at 0 °C with full conversion. The catalytic activity and the reaction mechanism drastically changed at temperatures higher than 40 °C, showing a unique behavior called a U‐shaped curve. It was revealed by IR measurement that Au^δ+ was a CO adsorption site and that adsorbed water promoted CO oxidation for the Au/POM catalyst. This is the first report on CO oxidation utilizing Au/POMs catalysts, and there is a potential for expansion to various gas‐phase reactions.     

Ag/Au Mixed Sites Promote Oxidative Coupling of Methanol on the Alloy Surface

Nanoporous gold, a dilute alloy of Ag in Au, activates molecular oxygen and promotes the oxygen‐assisted catalytic coupling of methanol. Because this trace amount of Ag inherent to nanoporous gold has been proposed as the source of oxygen activation, a thin film Ag/Au alloy surface was studied as a model system for probing the origin of this reactivity. Thin alloy layers of Ag_xAu_1?x, with 0.15≤x≤0.40, were examined for dioxygen activation and methanol self‐coupling. These alloy surfaces recombine atomic oxygen at different temperatures depending on the alloy composition. Total conversion of methanol to selective oxidation products, that is, formaldehyde and methyl formate, was achieved at low initial oxygen coverage and at low temperature. Reaction channels for methyl formate formation occurred on both Au and Au/Ag mixed sites with a ratio, as was predicted from the local 2‐dimensional composition.     

Active Pd/Fe(OH)x catalyst preparation for nitrobenzene hydrogenation by tracing aqueous phase chlorine concentrations in the washing step of catalyst precursors

By tracing the chlorine concentrations in the aqueous solutions containing the catalyst precursors, Pd/Fe(OH)_x catalysts with different activities can be controllably prepared. For the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene, the active Pd/Fe(OH)_x catalysts were obtained from aqueous solutions with chlorine concentrations below 18 ppm and above 8 ppm.     

掺杂Zr4+对纳米Au/TiO2催化剂结构和性能的影响

采用氨水反滴加沉淀法合成了Zr4+掺杂的系列TiO2载体,以尿素溶液为沉淀剂,用沉积-沉淀法制备负载金催化剂。运用N2吸附-脱附(BET)、X射线衍射(XRD)、X射线荧光(XRF)、高分辨电镜(HR-TEM)和氨吸附红外光谱(NH3-IR)等技术对催化剂的结构与形貌进行了表征,并在色谱-微反应装置上考察了催化剂对CO氧化反应的活性。结果表明:(1)少量的Zr4+掺杂可形成锐钛矿型固溶体,且载体的比表面积增大;随着Zr4+掺杂量增加至10%以上,载体逐渐向无定形转变,同时比表面积急剧增大。(2)保持规整锐钛矿晶相的Zr4+掺杂载体,其表面Lewis酸位占有率较高,且具备结构缺陷,而无定形载体表面的Lewis酸位占有率大幅度降低。(3)载体表面的Lewis酸位以及结构缺陷有利于增强载体对Au颗粒的锚定作用,从而减弱焙烧过程中的颗粒聚集。(4)少量Zr4+掺杂入TiO2载体中,可以提高Au颗粒的抗烧结能力,焙烧所得的Au颗粒尺寸较小(3.63 nm),且表现出优异的催化活性,在常温下就可以将CO完全氧化。     

Exposing the Delocalized Cu−S π Bonds on the Au24Cu6(SPhtBu)22 Nanocluster and Its Application in Ring‐Opening Reactions

Bimetallic nanomaterials are of major importance in catalysis. A Au‐Cu bimetallic nanocluster was synthesized that is effective in catalyzing the epoxide ring‐opening reaction. The catalyst was analyzed by SCXRD and ESI‐MS and found to be Au₂₄Cu₆(SPhtBu)₂₂ (Au₂₄Cu₆ for short). Six copper atoms exclusively occupy the surface positions in two groups with three atoms for each, and each group was bonded with three thiolate ligands to give a planar motif reminiscent of a benzene ring. In the epoxide‐ring opening reaction, Au₂₄Cu₆ exhibited superior catalytic activity compared to other homometallic and Au‐Cu alloy NCs, such as Au₂₅ and Au_38?xCu_x. Control experiments and DFT calculations revealed that the π conjugation among the Cu?S bonds played a pivotal role. This study demonstrates a unique π conjugation established among the Cu?S bonds as a critical structural motif in the nanocluster, which facilitates the catalysis of a ring‐opening reaction.     

Discrete Dipole Approximation Analysis of Plasmonic Core/Alloy Nanoparticles

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of Au/Au_xAg_1?x core/alloy nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated by means of the discrete dipole approximation. The core/alloy microstructure was varied by changing the shell alloy composition x, its thickness t_S, and the shell thickness to core radius ratio (t_S/r_C) in the range of 0.05–1.0. These changes resulted in a novel tuning of SPR shape, frequency, and extinction. These models were compared with experimental results for Au/Au_xAg_1?x NPs prepared by a microwave‐mediated hydrothermal processing method, which produces core/alloy NPs with SPR signatures closely resembling those of the models.     

通过CeOx修饰提高金纳米颗粒在CO氧化反应中的催化活性和耐久性

CO催化氧化是一个重要的经典反应,与许多应用息息相关,包括痕量CO气体检测、汽车尾气净化和安全防护等,吸引了人们广泛的研究兴趣.负载型Au纳米颗粒在CO氧化等许多反应中有着与众不同的催化活性,具有广泛的应用前景,但依然存在着稳定性差、易团聚失活的问题.人们通过应用多孔载体隔离Au纳米颗粒,在Au纳米颗粒表面覆盖金属氧化物、二氧化硅或碳,以及对Au纳米粒子进行封装等方法解决这些问题.尤其是利用金属氧化物与Au纳米粒子间的强相互作用对其进行覆盖或封装,有效地提高了Au催化材料的稳定性.但以上策略操作流程复杂,不利于应用.本文发展了一种简单有效的方法,通过EDTA的络合作用引入CeOx对Au纳米粒子进行修饰,得到的CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂活性和耐久性明显提升.采用X射线衍射(XRD)和高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)证明了CeOx成功地修饰在Au纳米颗粒上.且通过EDTA引入CeOx所制备的CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂结构明显不同于直接加入纳米CeO2所得到的CeOx-Au/SiO2的结构.EDTA的络合作用能有效地连结Ce与Au物种,经焙烧消除EDTA后,加强了CeOx与Au间相互作用,最终在Au纳米粒子表面形成丰富的CeOx颗粒与原子级厚度的CeOx层.进一步应用X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和氢气程序升温还原(H2-TPR)等手段研究了CeOx修饰对Au纳米粒子的影响.XPS结果表明,CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂带正电的Au+和Au3+的浓度明显高于一般的Au/SiO2和直接加入CeO2制备得到的CeOx-Au/SiO2催化剂.H2-TPR同样表明,CeOx修饰调变了Au纳米粒子的氧化还原性.这些均对其在CO催化氧化反应中的催化活性具有重要影响将CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂用于CO催化氧化反应中,160°C时,CO转化率达98.8％,至180°C后实现了CO的完全转化.而一般的Au/SiO2催化剂在160°C时CO转化率仅为4.0％,CO的完全转化则需340°C.直接加入纳米CeO2所得到的CeOx-Au/SiO2催化剂,其催化活性略有提升,CO完全转化所需的温度为300°C.这充分证明了通过CeOx修饰Au纳米粒子,能有效提升其催化活性.原位漫反射红外光谱(DRIFT)结果表明,CeOx修饰促进了CO在Au表面的吸附,并能形成[Au(CO)2]δ+物种;同时还观察到大量的单齿CO32? 物种信号,反映了CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂表面存在丰富的活性氧物种.通入O2后,观察到了大量CO32?物种信号和气相CO2,印证了催化剂表面发生的CO催化氧化过程,也表明其具有非常高的催化活性.考察了CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂的耐久性,发现经50 h CO氧化反应,催化剂依然能有效保持活性.相比之下,Au/SiO2催化剂经10 h反应后,开始明显失活.由此可见,CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂具有相当高的耐久性.在600°C将催化剂焙烧3 h,发现Au/SiO2催化剂中Au纳米粒子存在明显团聚现象,而CeOx@Au/SiO2催化剂的Au纳米粒子依然均匀分布在载体表面,且粒径未发生明显变化.     

Oxygen Electroreduction Performance of Ultrasmall Gold Nanoclusters

Ultrasmall gold nanoclusters consisting of 2-4 Au atoms were synthesized and their performance in electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) was examined. These clusters were synthesized by exposing AuPPh₃Cl to the aqueous ammonia medium for one week. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses indicate that the as-synthesized gold clusters (abbreviated as Au_x) consist of 2-4 Au atoms coordinated by the triphenylphosphine, hydroxyl, and adsorbed oxygen ligands. A glassy carbon disk electrode loaded with the Au_x clusters (Au_x/GC) was characterized by the cyclic and linear-sweep voltammetry for ORR. The cyclic voltammogram vs. RHE shows the onset potential of 0.87 V, and the kinetic parameters of J_K at 0.47 V and the electron-transfer number per oxygen molecule were calculated to be 14.28 mA/cm² and 3.96 via the Koutecky-Levich equations, respectively.     

Au130−xAgx Nanoclusters with Non‐Metallicity: A Drum of Silver‐Rich Sites Enclosed in a Marks‐Decahedral Cage of Gold‐Rich Sites

The synthesis and structure of atomically precise Au_130?xAg_x (average x=98) alloy nanoclusters protected by 55 ligands of 4‐tert‐butylbenzenethiolate are reported. This large alloy structure has a decahedral M₅₄ (M=Au/Ag) core. The Au atoms are localized in the truncated Marks decahedron. In the core, a drum of Ag‐rich sites is found, which is enclosed by a Marks decahedral cage of Au‐rich sites. The surface is exclusively Ag?SR; X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis supports the absence of Au?S bonds. The optical absorption spectrum shows a strong peak at 523 nm, seemingly a plasmon peak, but fs spectroscopic analysis indicates its non‐plasmon nature. The non‐metallicity of the Au_130?xAg_x nanocluster has set up a benchmark to study the transition to metallic state in the size evolution of bimetallic nanoclusters. The localized Au/Ag binary architecture in such a large alloy nanocluster provides atomic‐level insights into the Au?Ag bonds in bimetallic nanoclusters.     

Deactivation of Cationic CuI and AuI Catalysts for A3 Coupling by CH2Cl2: Mechanistic Implications of the Formation of Neutral CuI and AuI Chlorides

Care should be exercised when using CH₂Cl₂ as a solvent for reactions in which amines are a reagent, since undesirable deactivation of cationic copper(I) and gold(I) catalysts to form the corresponding inactive neutral chloride complexes [LMCl] (M=Cu or Au) can occur as a result of the generation of hydrogen chloride in the medium. Cu^I and Au^I deactivation has been proved for the Mannich three‐component coupling reaction. A series of Cu^I and Au^I complexes with potential mechanistic implications were isolated and characterized by X‐ray crystallography.