Abstract
The reactivity of gold clusters (8–22 nm diameter) supported on different metal oxides (titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2)) was investigated in a continuous flow reactor. Clusters were encapsulated within polymer in toluene solution, impregnated onto the bulk supports, and reduced by calcination at 300 °C. Support dependent sintering (TiO2>ZrO2>ZnO) was observed following heating in air at 300 °C. For both CO oxidation and propylene hydrogenation, Au nanoclusters on TiO2 exhibit the highest activity compared to other supports.