Influence of the support and the size of gold clusters on catalytic activity for glucose oxidation

Abstract

Not all that glitters... The activity of supported gold nanoparticles depends on the method used for their preparation. Gold clusters of about 2 nm in diameter were deposited on nonreducible metal oxides and carbon materials by solid grinding of a volatile organogold complex in a ball mill and subsequent calcination (see scheme). Au/ZrO2 and Au/Al2O3 prepared in this way were extremely efficient catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of glucose. (Chemical Equation Presented). © 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.