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Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanotechnology and Applied Nanosciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2018) | Viewed by 29736

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institutes of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8603, Japan
Interests: photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical fuel production and environmental purification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In view of energy and environmental issues, research on gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-based catalysts is currently experiencing rapid progress due to the promising applications to energy-saving "green" organic synthesis, environmental purification, and artificial photosynthesis. Firstly, Au NP loaded on metal oxides activates oxygen on the surface at low temperature to induce a high level of thermocatalytic activity for many important reactions. The dominant factors for activity are the size and shape of Au NP, and the electronic state effectively tunable by the support in contrast to the bulk-junction system. Secondly, Au NP, uniquely, has localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) matching well to the solar spectrum. Au NP-semiconductor heteronanostructures (HNSs) have emerged as a new class of visible-light photocatalysts. In terms of the so-called plasmonic photocatalyst, Au NP acts as a photosensitizer and/or electric-field amplifier for incident light. The activity depends on the efficiencies of light harvesting, charge transfer and separation at the interfaces, and surface redox reactions. The optical property of Au NP is sensitive to the size and shape, and the direction of the interfacial electron transfer can be manipulated through the Au particle-size control. Thus, improvement in activity is a great scientific challenge, requiring rational design and exquisite synthetic techniques. Thirdly, the development of technologies for chemical-to-electricity and solar-to-chemical conversions is crucial for realizing a sustainable society. Au NP-semiconductor HNSs are also attractive as electrocatalytic electrodes for fuel cells and photoelectrochemical cells for artificial photosynthetic reactions.

The aim of this Special Issue is to attract leading researchers in the area of Au NP-based catalysts in an effort to highlight the latest exciting developments to promote concrete applications. Accepted contributions will include the design, synthesis and fundamental properties of Au NP-based catalysts, and their applications to chemical transformations and electrochemical devices.

Prof. Hiroaki Tada

Dr. Sonia Carabineiro

Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Gold nanoparticle

  • Catalyst

  • Plasmonic photocatalyst

  • Electrochemical cell

  • Organic synthesis

  • Environmental purification

  • Artificial photosynthesis

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 187 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue: Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications
by Sónia A. C. Carabineiro
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(14), 2890; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9142890 - 19 Jul 2019
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2064
Abstract
Catalysis by gold nanoparticles is a topic of increasing interest [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications)

Research

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11 pages, 2954 KiB  
Article
Gold Nanotriangles as Selective Catalysts for Cyclohexanol and Cyclohexanone Production
by Inês A. S. Matias, A. P. C. Ribeiro, Rui P. Oliveira-Silva, Duarte M. F. Prazeres and Luísa M. D. R. S. Martins
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(12), 2655; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8122655 - 17 Dec 2018
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3809
Abstract
The search for sustainable catalytic oxidation processes remains a challenge. One process of utmost industrial and economic importance is the selective oxidation of cyclohexane, in the route of nylon-6,6 production, which requires urgent improvement. Herein, Au nanotriangles (Au NTs) were prepared following a [...] Read more.
The search for sustainable catalytic oxidation processes remains a challenge. One process of utmost industrial and economic importance is the selective oxidation of cyclohexane, in the route of nylon-6,6 production, which requires urgent improvement. Herein, Au nanotriangles (Au NTs) were prepared following a three-step (seed preparation, growth and shaping) procedure and applied, for the first time, as catalysts for the selective oxidation of neat cyclohexane to ketone and alcohol (KA) oil (cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone mixture). The Au NTs successfully yield KA oil (up to 14%) under mild conditions (50 °C), using an alternative energy source (microwave irradiation) as reaction promotor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications)
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12 pages, 2309 KiB  
Article
Furfural Oxidation on Gold Supported on MnO2: Influence of the Support Structure on the Catalytic Performances
by Camila Palombo Ferraz, Anderson Gabriel Marques Da Silva, Thenner Silva Rodrigues, Pedro Henrique Cury Camargo, Sébastien Paul and Robert Wojcieszak
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(8), 1246; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8081246 - 27 Jul 2018
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5938
Abstract
A series of catalysts consisting of gold nanoparticles supported on MnO2 presenting different morphologies were synthesized and tested in the base-free oxidation of furfural. Ultra-small Au particles (less than 3 nm) were deposited on low (commercial MnO2) and high (NF, [...] Read more.
A series of catalysts consisting of gold nanoparticles supported on MnO2 presenting different morphologies were synthesized and tested in the base-free oxidation of furfural. Ultra-small Au particles (less than 3 nm) were deposited on low (commercial MnO2) and high (NF, nanoflowers and NW, nanowires MnO2) surface area supports. High activity was observed for Au/MnO2-NF material with very high selectivity to furoic acid. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study confirmed the presence of a significant amount of highly active Auδ+ species on the surface of the Au/MnO2-NF catalyst. These species seem to be responsible for the high activity in oxidation of furfural under mild conditions (air as oxidant, 110 °C). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications)
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12 pages, 3201 KiB  
Article
Hydrogen Production from Methanol Steam Reforming over TiO2 and CeO2 Pillared Clay Supported Au Catalysts
by Rongbin Zhang, Chuanqing Huang, Lijuan Zong, Kun Lu, Xuewen Wang and Jianxin Cai
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(2), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8020176 - 25 Jan 2018
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4296
Abstract
Abstract: Methanol steam reforming is a promising process for the generation of hydrogen. In this study, Au catalysts supported on modified montmorillonite were prepared and their catalytic activity for methanol steam reforming was investigated at 250–500 °C. The physical and chemical properties [...] Read more.
Abstract: Methanol steam reforming is a promising process for the generation of hydrogen. In this study, Au catalysts supported on modified montmorillonite were prepared and their catalytic activity for methanol steam reforming was investigated at 250–500 °C. The physical and chemical properties of the as-prepared catalysts were characterized by Brunauer–Emmet–Teller method (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), and thermogravimetrc analysis (TGA). For the catalysts examined, Au-Ti-Ce/Na-ABen exhibits the best catalytic performance with methanol conversion of 72% and H2 selectivity of 99% at 350 °C. This could be attributed to Au, Ce, and Ti species which form a solid solution and move into the interlayer space of the bentonite leading to a high surface area, large average pore volume, large average pore diameter, and small Au particle size. We considered that the synergistic effect of the crosslinking agent, the Ce species, and the Au active sites were responsible for the high activity of Au-Ti-Ce/Na-ABen catalyst for methanol steam reforming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications)
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Review

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24 pages, 4897 KiB  
Review
Progress in the Utilization Efficiency Improvement of Hot Carriers in Plasmon-Mediated Heterostructure Photocatalysis
by Tong Zhang, Shan-Jiang Wang, Xiao-Yang Zhang, Dan Su, Yi Yang, Jing-Yuan Wu, Yao-Yao Xu and Ning Zhao
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(10), 2093; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9102093 - 21 May 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3626
Abstract
The effect of plasmon-induced hot carriers (HCs) enables the possibility of applying semiconductors with wide band gaps to visible light catalysis, which becomes an emerging research field in environmental protections. Continued efforts have been made for an efficient heterostructure photocatalytic process with controllable [...] Read more.
The effect of plasmon-induced hot carriers (HCs) enables the possibility of applying semiconductors with wide band gaps to visible light catalysis, which becomes an emerging research field in environmental protections. Continued efforts have been made for an efficient heterostructure photocatalytic process with controllable behaviors of HCs. Recently, it has been discovered that the improvement of the utilization of HCs by band engineering is a promising strategy for an enhanced catalytic process, and relevant works have emerged for such a purpose. In this review, we give an overview of the recent progress relating to optimized methods for designing efficient photocatalysts by considering the intrinsic essence of HCs. First, the basic mechanism of the heterostructure photocatalytic process is discussed, including the formation of the Schokkty barrier and the process of photocatalysis. Then, the latest studies for improving the utilization efficiency of HCs in two aspects, the generation and extraction of HCs, are introduced. Based on this, the applications of such heterostructure photocatalysts, such as water/air treatments and organic transformations, are briefly illustrated. Finally, we conclude by discussing the remaining bottlenecks and future directions in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications)
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15 pages, 4597 KiB  
Review
Au Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Catalysis
by Jingang Wang, Wenhua Qiao and Xijiao Mu
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(11), 2026; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8112026 - 23 Oct 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4138
Abstract
Plasmon-driven chemical reactions have been a prospective field for surface plasmon resonance and tip-enhanced Raman scattering. In this review, the principles of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) are first introduced. Following this, the use of Au TERS for plasmon-driven synthesis catalysis is introduced. Finally, [...] Read more.
Plasmon-driven chemical reactions have been a prospective field for surface plasmon resonance and tip-enhanced Raman scattering. In this review, the principles of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) are first introduced. Following this, the use of Au TERS for plasmon-driven synthesis catalysis is introduced. Finally, the use of Au TERS for catalysis of dissociation reactions is discussed. This review can provide a deeper understanding of Au TERS for plasmon-driven catalysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications)
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Other

9 pages, 2399 KiB  
Letter
Enhanced Photocatalytic Efficiency of TiO2 Membrane Decorated with Ag and Au Nanoparticles
by Yining Gao, Wenqin Zhang and Peng Liu
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(6), 945; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8060945 - 7 Jun 2018
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4239
Abstract
Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated on the surface of TiO2 membranes by two methods, i.e., hydrothermal synthesis and photoreduction. The size of Ag and Au NPs on the surface of TiO2 membranes was dependent on the method of preparation [...] Read more.
Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated on the surface of TiO2 membranes by two methods, i.e., hydrothermal synthesis and photoreduction. The size of Ag and Au NPs on the surface of TiO2 membranes was dependent on the method of preparation and varied from 2 nm–10 nm. The photocatalytic performance of the TiO2 particle, TiO2 membrane and the Ag/Au-decorated TiO2 membrane was tested for the catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) under irradiation of visible light. The experiment results showed that both Ag- and Au-decorated TiO2 membranes exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity in the visible light region. Among the prepared materials, Ag-decorated TiO2 membranes prepared by photoreduction showed the highest activity, which could be attributed to the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of the noble metal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles for Catalytic Applications)
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