Geometric effect of Au nanoclusters on room temperature CO oxidation

Abstract

We report the effect of in situ transforming ZnO supported single Au atoms to 3-dimensional Au clusters (Au_3D) on room temperature CO oxidation activity. We discovered that an intermediate, highly distorted 2-dimensional Au layer species is much more active than both the Au_3D clusters and the Au single atoms. The geometric arrangement of Au clusters and their interactions with support surfaces play a pivotal role in determining their catalytic performance in room temperature CO oxidation on ZnO supported Au catalysts.