Gold nanoparticles with tailored size through ligand modification for catalytic applications
Nidhi Kapil1, Fabio Cardinale1, Tobias Weissenberger1
1Centre for Nature Inspired Engineering and Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK. m.coppens@ucl.ac.uk.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|September 29, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a method to control gold nanoparticle (AuNP) size using ligand steric hindrance. Smaller AuNPs on TS-1 zeolite showed improved propylene epoxidation catalysis.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Catalysis
- Heterogeneous Catalysis
Background:
- Catalyst active sites are crucial for chemical reactions and can be modified using organic molecules.
- Controlling nanoparticle size is essential for optimizing catalytic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile synthesis for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with tunable core sizes.
- To immobilize AuNPs onto TS-1 zeolite and evaluate their catalytic activity for propylene epoxidation.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of AuNPs using Au(I) precursors, controlling size via ligand steric hindrance.
- Immobilization of AuNPs onto TS-1 zeolite.
- Evaluation of the Au/TS-1 catalyst for gas-phase direct epoxidation of propylene using H2 and O2.
Main Results:
- A direct correlation was established between ligand steric hindrance and AuNP core size.
- AuNPs were successfully immobilized onto TS-1 zeolite with minimal size change.
- Smaller AuNPs demonstrated enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity in propylene epoxidation.
Conclusions:
- The developed method allows for precise, tailored synthesis of AuNPs of specific sizes.
- The Au/TS-1 catalyst exhibits promising performance for environmentally friendly propylene oxide production.
- This approach is valuable for applications requiring size-specific gold nanoparticles.
