Kratos Axis Ultra adds value to the investigation of gold clusters activity when used for gas-phase catalysis.

• Bulk gold has been considered unsuitable as a catalyst. However, gold nanoparticles have shown high activity for several types of oxidation and reduction reactions.


• Scientists at the University of California investigated the reactivity of gold clusters supported on different metal oxides, such as: titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), zirconium oxide (ZrO) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). They attempted to identify whether gold nanoparticles are active in gas-phase catalysis reactions and whether the catalytic activity is dependant on the composition of the metal oxide supports.


• The catalyst characterisation was achieved with the help of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for particle size of gold clusters, and the Kratos Axis Ultra for the XPS spectra.


• The study revealed that the composition of the oxide supports strongly influences the gold nanoclusters catalytic behaviour, with gold nanoclusters on TiO2 supports exhibiting the highest catalytic activity.

Techniques: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM); X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)

Source: Chou J., Franklin N. R., Baeck S. H., Jaramillo T. F. & McFarland E. W.; (2003); "Gas-Phase Catalysis by Micelle Derived Au Nanoparticles on Oxide Supports"; University of California; Catalysis Letters; Vol. 95; pp. 3-4.