Gold Catalysts in Heterogeneous Catalysis Systems

Gold nanoparticles and single-atom species supported on metal oxides have transformed the field of heterogeneous catalysis by combining remarkable low-temperature activity with tunable selectivity. Unlike bulk gold, nano-gold exhibits unique electronic and surface properties that enable efficient activation of small molecules such as O₂, CO and volatile organic compounds. Key factors governing performance include particle size, support identity and metal–support interactions, which together determine active-site structure, oxygen vacancy formation and resistance to sintering. Advances in rational support design, interface engineering and water-mediated reaction channels have extended gold catalyst applications from environmental remediation and fuel purification to selective oxidations and photocatalysis. Nonetheless, challenges remain in stabilising sub-nanometre gold under reaction conditions and in maximising atomic efficiency through single-atom dispersion while preserving thermal and hydrothermal stability.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have shown that constructing a conformal silica overlayer on Au/TiO₂ yields a highly active and sintering-resistant Au–SiO₂ interface, promoting efficient O₂ activation at elevated temperatures and enabling sustained low-temperature oxidation performance. Another seminal investigation compared gold single atoms and nanoparticles for CO oxidation in the presence of water, revealing that single atoms benefit from a unique H₂O-promoted reaction channel that enhances CO conversion by two orders of magnitude compared with conventional nanoparticle catalysts.

Gold Catalysts in Heterogeneous Catalysis Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in gold catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Heterogeneous catalysis: Catalytic reactions in which the catalyst and reactants are in different phases, typically solid catalyst with gas or liquid reactants.

Support: A solid material, often an oxide, that disperses, stabilises and interacts electronically with metal catalysts.

Sintering: Thermal agglomeration of metal nanoparticles leading to loss of active surface area and diminished catalytic performance.

Single-atom catalyst (SAC): Catalyst comprising isolated metal atoms anchored on a support, maximising atom utilisation and interfacial sites.

Strong metal–support interaction (SMSI): Electronic and structural interplay between metal particles and support that can modify adsorption energies and stability.

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR): Collective oscillation of conduction electrons in metal nanoparticles under light excitation, enhancing photocatalytic activity.

References

1. Boosting the catalysis of gold by O2 activation at Au-SiO2 interface. Nature Communications (2020).
2. Remarkable active-site dependent H2O promoting effect in CO oxidation. Nature Communications (2019).
3. Exceptional performance of gold supported on fluoridated hydroxyapatite catalysts in CO-cleanup of H2-rich stream: High activity and resistance under PEMFC operation conditions. Applied Catalysis B Environment and Energy (2021).
4. Au/CeO2 Photocatalyst for the Selective Oxidation of Aromatic Alcohols in Water under UV, Visible and Solar Irradiation. Catalysts (2021).