Selective oxidation of CO in the presence of air over gold-based catalysts Au/TiO2/C (sonochemistry) and Au/TiO2/C (microwave)

Two model catalysts, Au/TiO2/C (S) (sonochemically derived) and Au/TiO2/C (M) (microwave derived), were produced by employing ultrasound irradiation and microwave irradiation, respectively. The deposition of gold colloids onto the support powders, TiO2/C, was accomplished by using a solvated metal atom impregnation (SMAI) method. The SMAI technique provides highly-dispersed gold particles on the TiO2/C support. The catalytic performance of Au based catalysts 1 wt% Au–TiO2/C (S) and 1 wt%Au–TiO2(M)/C (M) have been tested for the oxidation of CO in the temperature range of 0–300 °C and compared to that of 1 wt% Au–TiO2 (Degussa-P25). A boost in the conversion of CO was observed for the sonochemically-derived catalyst, Au/TiO2/C (S), at low temperature. Hence, the reactivity order found for CO oxidation is (Au/TiO2/C (S) > Au/TiO2 (P25) > Au/TiO2/C (M)).