Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2016, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (1): 48-60.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201511092

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Structure-Sensitivity of Au Catalysis

Wei-Xin HUANG*(),Kun QIAN,Zong-Fang WU,Shi-Long CHEN   

  • Received:2015-10-12 Published:2016-01-13
  • Contact: Wei-Xin HUANG E-mail:huangwx@ustc.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    the National Key Basic Research Program of China (973)(2013CB933104);National Natural Science Foundation ofChina(21525313, 20973161, 21373192);MOE Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China(WK2060030017);MPG-CAS Partner Group Program and Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology

Abstract:

Au catalysis is representative of nanocatalysis. Au catalysis has been demonstrated to be very complex and structure-sensitive. In this short review we summarize the literature reports on Au catalysis and our recent progress on the fundamental understanding of Au catalysis using model catalysts from single crystals to nanocrystals. We demonstrate the structure-sensitivity of Au catalysis used for NO decomposition, CO oxidation, and propylene epoxidation with H2 and O2 and the corresponding active Au structures. We discuss the effects of the geometric and electronic structures and the Au–oxide support interactions on Au catalysis, and the origin of high catalytic activity of the Au surface at low temperatures. Finally, we provide an outlook for future research directions of structure-sensitive Au catalysis.

Key words: Surface chemistry, Heterogeneous catalysis, Model catalyst, CO oxidation reaction, NO decomposition reaction, Propylene epoxidation reaction