Gold Clusters and Nanoparticles Stabilized by Nanoshaped Ceria in Catalysis

Gold nanoparticles stabilized by cerium oxides have been widely studied as catalysts in a number of important chemical reactions, such as CO oxidation, the water-gas shift reaction, as well as selective oxidation and hydrogenation reactions. An important aspect of catalysis by Au/CeO₂ is the interaction between Au and the underlying ceria. Of determining importance appear to be the size of the metal nanoparticles or clusters, the ability of the ceria to provide oxygen atoms during catalytic reactions, and the influence of the oxidation state of the gold atoms at the interface perimeter. In this context, a strong morphology-dependent reactivity has been recognized due to different surface planes of ceria presented, namely {111}, {110}, and {100}. In this chapter, experimental and theoretical progress achieved in this field in the past 15years has been summarized.