Selective Deposition of Gold Nanoparticles on or Inside Carbon Nanotubes and Their Catalytic Activity for Preferential Oxidation of CO

Abstract

Abstract Gold nanoparticles have been deposited on three kinds of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), including nitrogen‐doped CNTs, by three different methods, namely, impregnation, organometallic decomposition, and deposition–precipitation. The choice of the gold precursor, the support, and the preparation procedure is critical for the control of the size and location (on or inside the nanotubes) of the gold nanoparticles. These catalysts were tested for the selective oxidation of CO in a hydrogen‐rich atmosphere. We have shown that the use of nitrogen‐doped CNTs as a support permits one to reach much higher activity and selectivity at low temperaturethan with the other CNT supports. This catalyst also shows a good stability under reaction conditions without detectable sintering.