Gold supported on metal oxides for volatile organic compounds total oxidation

- Au/oxide catalysts were used for the total oxidation of ethyl acetate and toluene.
- The highest catalytic increases upon gold loading were obtained for MgO and Y2O3.
- Au/CuO and Au/NiO were the most active catalysts for the oxidation of both VOCs.
- The catalytic activity is related with support reducibility and Au particle size.
- A Mars-van Krevelen mechanism takes place and Au enhances the supports reactivity.