Au/ZrO2 catalysts for LT-WGSR: Active role of sulfates during gold deposition

The effect of the addition of various amounts of sulfates to a zirconia support and its possible role during the Au deposition–precipitation step was examined. The high activity showed by the Au/ZrO2 catalysts in the WGS reaction was enhanced by the action of sulfates on the support. SO42− addition to zirconia brings a higher gold dispersion due to (i) the larger surface area and (ii) the positive role of SO42− groups that determine the deposition of Au in the form of highly dispersed non-metallic gold clusters in close contact with the support.