Highly active and stable TiO2-supported Au nanoparticles for CO2 reduction

Au nanoparticles (2.2 nm) deposited on TiO2 by the deposition-precipitation method were found to be extremely active and stable for CO2 hydrogenation to CO. A CO2 to CO yield up to 50% was achieved at temperatures as low as 400 °C for at least 60 h. Under identical reaction conditions, both bare TiO2 and Au/Al2O3 were practically inactive for CO2 reduction. The unique combination of the Au nanoparticles and TiO2 support - linked to a peculiar synergistic effect - is essential to the enhanced CO2 reduction activity.