Investigation of the preparation and activity of gold catalysts in the total oxidation of n-hexane

The factors affecting the preparation of Au/TiO2 catalysts and their activity in the total oxidation of n-hexane were investigated. The mechanism of gold deposition–precipitation is discussed through comparison of the samples prepared by this method and others prepared by anion adsorption method. The influence of the pH and of the origin of TiO2 support used are additionally addressed. The difference of gold dispersion observed between the two methods is attributed to a difference of mobility of the gold precursors during the thermal treatment rather than to a difference of dispersion over the uncalcined samples. The mechanism of gold deposition–precipitation actually involves the reactions of gold hydroxy-chloride species with the surface. Another part of the work, thus, concerned the use of the deposition–precipitation method to prepare a Au/MnO2 catalyst. It is shown that the activity of γ-MnO2 is directly proportional to its surface area and that the deposition–precipitation procedure decreases the surface and activity of MnO2. However, the deposition of gold allows to avoid a too deep sintering of γ-MnO2 and, thus, helps to somehow preserve its activity.