Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic application of Au/ZnO nanocomposites prepared by coprecipitation

• Published in: Journal of materials science Vol. 46; no. 22; pp. 7134 - 7143
• Main Authors: Donkova, B., Vasileva, P., Nihtianova, D., Velichkova, N., Stefanov, P., Mehandjiev, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.11.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical synthesis; Classical Mechanics; Coprecipitation; Crystallography and Scattering Methods; Gold; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Oxidation; Polymer Sciences; Size Dependent Effects; Solid Mechanics; Surface chemistry; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Zinc oxide; Gold Content; Select Area Electron Diffraction; Crystal Lattice Parameter; Coprecipitation Method; Good Catalytic Performance
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-011-5503-y

In this study, Au/ZnO nanocomposites of different gold contents (0.8, 2.5, and 9%) and specific surface areas (from 41 to 51 m 2 /g) were synthesized via a coprecipitation method. The pure ZnO was obtained at the same experimental conditions. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, and XPS. The influence of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) loading on the catalytic activity of Au/ZnO nanocomposite was studied in the model reaction of CO oxidation. Spherical shape and homogeneous distribution of Au-NPs were observed in all samples prepared. The average size of Au-NPs in the obtained catalysts are almost the same (about 4 nm) allowing the studied effect to be manifested. The decrease of intrinsic catalytic activity of the coprecipitated Au/ZnO nanocomposites follows the sequence 2.5, 9, and 0.8% Au, as corresponding to the decrease of relative surface content of Au-NPs. It could be suggested that the catalytic activity is noticeably influenced by the distribution of Au-NPs between the bulk and surface of catalysts.