Spontaneous gold decoration of activated carbons

• Direct reduction of Au3+ onto the surface of activated carbons was achieved.
• Non-functionalized and chemically modified activated carbons were used as supports.
• Geometrical and amorphous gold and gold clusters were formed at carbon supports.
• The composite showed high catalytic activity in the oxidation of glycerol.

A novel mild method for the preparation of gold supported on activated carbons was achieved through direct reduction of Au3+ ions onto the surface of two different types of activated carbons, namely a non-functionalized commercial type and a chemically modified activated carbon. The chemically modified activated carbon was obtained by gas phase oxidation of the latter, in order to introduce surface oxygen groups. Geometrical and amorphous gold and gold clusters were formed at the surface of the two types of carbon supports, through a straightforward redox reaction under mild conditions. We demonstrated the catalytic performance of gold supported on activated carbon in the oxidation of glycerol, which presented high activity and selectivity towards the formation of glyceric acid.

A mild method for the preparation of gold-activated carbon composites was achieved through direct reduction of Au3+ ions onto activated carbons. The composite presented high activity in the glycerol oxidation with high selectivity towards glyceric acid.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide