Gold as a Catalyst; New Uses for an Ancient Valuable Metal

This yellow metal, has become the standard of value, the medium of exchange and has been a currency that huge empires have been built upon. Ironically, until recently in science it has had little or no value.

Gold Nano Particle Catalysts have changed all that.

When they are carried on oxide supports Gold Nano Particles demonstrate some unique and promising properties. Scientists have found that gold as with many other Nano structures behaves in very different ways than in a solid or bulk state.

For example, Nano gold can act as a catalyst and has demonstrated many different attributes in this field.

Potential exciting applications include;

The conversion of Carbon Monoxide (CO) to Carbon Dioxide (C0₂) which has great safety and environmental implications.
Hydrogen Fuel cell research and development. Here Gold Nano catalysts have shown good capabilities in Preferential Oxidation (PROX) of Carbon Monoxide in Hydrogen streams. This could be used to reduce carbon monoxide in fuel gas streams supplied to fuel cells, wherein carbon monoxide will poison the active noble metal membrane and higher preferential oxidation temperatures may reduce the hydrogen content of the gas stream. Gold Nano particles have shown promise at low temperatures overcoming this technical barrier
Oxidising Hydrocarbons
Increasing yields in the Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Process compared to current technology
Conversion of Glucose to Gluconic Acid
CO removal in Personal and Collective protection applications
Removal or Oxidation of Odours
Air purification in cabin air

Much research still goes on and the list of potential applications and their benefits in increased conversion rates and yields compared to current technologies available is being added to all the time

Gold can usually achieve the same or better results than higher loaded Platinum (Pt) based catalysts and have been found to enhance the results achieved with bimetallic catalysts. This represents the possibility of achieving same or better results at a lower cost and consuming less of these precious resources.

We invite people to explore the uses and further applications of Gold Nano Catalysts.

Premier Chemicals Ltd are at the forefront of several applications studies and are nano gold catalyst suppliers on a number of different supports.

If you would like to read more pleas download the Premier Chemicals' NanAucat™ Gold Oxidation Catalyst Brochure.

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