Cryogenic CO Oxidation on TiO2-Supported Gold Nanoclusters Precovered with Atomic Oxygen

• Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society Vol. 125; no. 8; pp. 2018 - 2019
• Main Authors: Kim, Tae S, Stiehl, James D, Reeves, Christopher T, Meyer, Randall J, Mullins, C. Buddie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 26.02.2003
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Gold; Particle size; Catalytic reaction; Catalyst selectivity; Transition metal Compounds; Crystal face; Experimental study; Metal particle; Cryogenic temperature; Supported catalyst; Oxidative degradation; Carbon monoxide; Titanium oxide; Catalyst activity
• ISSN: 0002-7863; 1520-5126
• DOI: 10.1021/ja028719p

Bulk gold has long been regarded as a noble metal, having very low chemical and catalytic activity. However, metal oxide-supported gold particles, particularly those that are less than 5 nm in diameter, have been found to have remarkable catalytic properties. In this study we show that impinging gas-phase CO molecules react readily with oxygen adatoms preadsorbed on Au/TiO2(110) to produce CO2 even under conditions in which the sample is cryogenically cooled. Gold particle size seems to have little effect on the CO oxidation reaction when oxygen adatoms are preadsorbed. We also show that as the oxygen adatom coverage increases, the rate of CO oxidation decreases on Au/TiO2 at cryogenic temperatures.