Catalytic properties supported nanoparticles

In Section 2 the general features of the electronic structure of supported metal nanoparticles are reviewed from both experimental and theoretical point of view. Section 3 gives an introduction to sample preparation. In Section 4 the size-dependent electronic properties of silver nanoparticles are presented as an illustrative example, while in Section 5 correlation is sought between the electronic structure and the catalytic properties of gold nanoparticles, with special emphasis on substrate-related issues. 

Correlation has been suggested between the morphology, electronic structure and catalytic properties of supported gold nanoparticles with special attention to the role of the substrate/interface behaviour. 

A.K. Santra and D.W. Goodman, Size-dependent electronic, structural, and catalytic properties of metal clusters supported on ultrathin oxide films, in Catalysis and Electrocatalysis at Nanoparticle Surfaces, eds. A. Wieckowski, E.R. Savinova, and C.G. Vayenas. Marcel Dekker, New York, 2003, pp. 281-309. 

Nanoparticles, which often show enhanced catalytic abilities [32, 33] unusual optical properties [34], and novel quantum size effects [35], have been widely used in fields such as catalysis [36, 37], sensing [38], optoelectronics [39], and microelectronics [40]. Nanoparticle catalysis is industrially and experimentally important because a large variety of C-C coupling [41] and alcohol oxidation [32] can be effectively catalyzed by nanoparticles. In this part, we will present a brief review on recent advances in supported nanoparticle heterogeneous catalysts on various mesoporous materials. Heterogeneous nanoparticle catalysts have several... 

The catalytic properties of Pt and Ru particles on T102-CNT catalysts in the methanol electro-oxidation were investigated by He et Pt and Ru nanoparticles, approximately of 3 nm in diameter, were uniformly electro-deposited on the as synthesized Ti02-supported C nanotubes. An enhanced and stable catalytic activity was obtained in the electro-oxidation of methanol due to the uniformly dispersed Pt and Ru nanoparticles on the... 

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis making use of cobalt-based catalysts is a hotly persued scientific topic in the catalysis community since it offers an interesting and economically viable route for the conversion of e.g. natural gas to sulphur-free diesel fuels. As a result, major oil companies have recently announced to implement this technology and major investments are under way to build large Fischer-Tropsch plants based on cobalt-based catalysts in e.g. Qatar. Promoters have shown to be crucial to alter the catalytic properties of these catalyst systems in a positive way. For this reason, almost every chemical element of the periodic table has been evaluated in the open literature for its potential beneficial effects on the activity, selectivity and stability of supported cobalt nanoparticles. 

Although bulk gold is poorly active as a catalyst, Au nanoparticles (NPs) attached to various support materials exhibit unique catalytic properties in oxidation. General features can be summarized as follows ... 

Supported clusters of only a few metal atoms have new catalytic properties, different from those of larger supported nanoclusters and nanoparticles. 

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