Title: Alkaline earth oxide supported nano-gold catalysts: influence of support, preparation method and calcination temperature of catalyst on its gold particle size and morphology

Authors: Vasant R. Choudhary, P. Jana, S.K. Bhargava

Addresses: Chemical Engineering & Process Development Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune – 411 008, India. ' Chemical Engineering & Process Development Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune – 411 008, India. ' Department of Applied Chemistry, RMIT University, Melbourne – 3003, Australia

Abstract: Influence of the metal oxide support, method of gold deposition and calcination temperature on the size and morphology of the nano-size gold particles deposited on alkaline earth metal oxides has been investigated. A number of alkaline earth oxide (viz. Mgo, CaO, SrO or BaO) supported nano-gold catalysts were prepared by depositing gold on the support by the deposition precipitation (DP) and homogeneous deposition precipitation (HDP) methods. The catalysts were calcined at different temperatures (400°C-900°C). The catalysts were characterised for their Au particles (size and morphology) using TEM/HRTEM. The catalytic activity of the supported nano-gold catalysts in the epoxidation of styrene to styrene oxide by tertiary butyl hydroperoxide could be correlated well with the Au loading and/or Au particle size of the catalysts.

Keywords: alkaline earth oxides; metal oxides; nanogold catalysts; gold particle size; morphology; styrene epoxidation; styrene oxide; gold deposition; calcination; magnesium oxide; calcium oxide; barium oxide; nanoparticles; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2009.028729

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2009 Vol.2 No.1/2/3/4/5/6, pp.11-19

Published online: 30 Sep 2009 *

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