文档介绍：Catalysis by Supported Gold Nanoclusters
C
D. Wayne Goodman
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, .
INTRODUCTION standing of the unique catalytic properties of limited
dimensional solids.
The physical and chemical properties of supported Au plexity of high surface area technical catalysts
clusters are markedly sensitive to cluster size and mor- makes developing an atomic-level understanding an
phology. To investigate the origin of the unique properties extremely challenging problem. Surface science studies
of nanosized Au clusters, model catalysts consisting of Au offer atomic-level information regarding the details of
clusters of varying sizes have been prepared on single catalytically relevant surfaces, but have traditionally
crystal TiO2(110) and ultrathin films of single crystalline focused on well-defined, single-crystal metal surfaces to
TiO2, SiO2, and Al2O3. The morphology, electronic struc- address the relationship between reactivity and surface
ture, and catalytic properties of these supported Au clusters morphology. Single crystal studies, however, obviously
have been investigated using an array of surface analytical do not address the size-dependent structural and electronic
techniques with particular emphasis to the unique proper- properties that are unique to metal nanoparticles. Toward
ties of clusters < nm in size. These studies illustrate the the goal of understanding the properties of supported
novel and unique physical and chemical properties of metal clusters, several groups have begun investigations
nanosized supported metal clusters. of metal clusters supported on planar oxide surfaces.[10–14]
Our group, in particular, has focused extensively on the
unique properties of supported gold clusters for selective
oxidation reactions.[15]
BACKGROUND Our approach to studying supported metal clusters has
been bine ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) surface analyt-
Unique electronic and chemical properties are known to i