Catalytic CO Oxidation over Au Nanoparticles Supported on Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

H. A. E. DOLE; J.M. KIM; L. LIZARRAGA; P. VERNOUX; E.A BARANOVA

Seattle

Encuentro; 221th Electrochemical Society Meeting; 2012

Electrochemical Society

Gold nanoparticles supported on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) were synthesized using a modified alcohol method which involves the stabilizing agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Two different average sizes(13.1 and 17.1 nm) of Au nanoparticles were synthesized. These catalysts were tested for gas phase CO oxidation. Since PVP is known to block the active Au sites, the catalysts were calcined at 300°C and 600°C in order to remove the PVP. Overall, higher catalytic activity was found for the smaller Au nanoparticles. It was also found that calcination is required in order to achieve activity, even though the particle size increases with this treatment. The effect of calcination temperature did not prove to be significant. It is demonstrated that O2- ionically conductive YSZ is a promising catalyst support that can finely disperse and stabilize Au nanoparticles for CO oxidation.