Alkaline earth oxide supported nano-gold catalysts: influence of support, preparation method and calcination temperature of catalyst on its gold particle size and morphology

Influence of the metal oxide support, method of gold deposition and calcination temperature on the size and morphology of the nano-size gold particles deposited on alkaline earth metal oxides has been investigated. A number of alkaline earth oxide (viz. Mgo, CaO, SrO or BaO) supported nano-gold catalysts were prepared by depositing gold on the support by the deposition precipitation (DP) and homogeneous deposition precipitation (HDP) methods. The catalysts were calcined at different temperatures (400°C-900°C). The catalysts were characterised for their Au particles (size and morphology) using TEM/HRTEM. The catalytic activity of the supported nano-gold catalysts in the epoxidation of styrene to styrene oxide by tertiary butyl hydroperoxide could be correlated well with the Au loading and/or Au particle size of the catalysts.