Local, global and electronic structure of supported gold nanoclusters determined by EXAFS, XRD and XPS methods

We analyze gold nanoclusters as supported catalysts by extended X-ray absorption fine structure, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in order to determine their local, global and electronic structure. The present study points out a strong deformation of the local structure of the metal due to its interaction with oxide supports. We determine the particle size distribution and microstrain functions of the Au nanoclusters by X-ray diffraction method. Based on X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy analysis we show that the entire local structure of the investigated systems is strongly distorted regarding the average Au-Au coordination number. The distances between atoms are practically the same as standard Au foil. The strong metal-support interaction is confirmed by the change in shape of the electron transition probability densities that appear in the Au LIII-edge. From XPS investigations we find electronic states corresponding to gold as well as to the oxide supports.