Effect of the metal–support interaction on the activity and selectivity of methanol oxidation over Au supported on mesoporous oxides

Abstract

To elucidate the factors affecting the catalytic properties of supported Au catalysts on the metal oxide support we investigated Au NPs deposited on crystallized mesoporous transition-metal oxides (m-oxides: Co₃O₄, NiO, and α-Fe₂O₃) prepared using the nanocasting method. The metal–oxide interaction in Au/mesoporous oxides resulted in higher catalytic activity for converting methanol to CO₂ as a full oxidation product than pure m-oxides. Au/m-Fe₂O₃ exhibited high activity and low selectivity for methyl formate as a partial oxidative coupling product. We correlate the change in activity and selectivity with the interface between the Au and m-oxides.