Although nano-gold catalysis has a short development history, its excellent catalytic performance has attracted wide attention. Now, researchers have found a new way to produce gold nanoparticles with catalytic activity. Let’s take a look at how gold has morphed into red-coated gold nanoparticles!
We think an ultra-high vacuum chamber with temperatures close to absolute zero may be the last place where gold is likely to be found.
Alexander Orlov, a researcher from the SBU, said the HND works by boiling gold atoms in a vacuum to create steam, which is deposited by a rapid cooling of a helium droplet to form clusters of gold at the bottom of the collector. The helium droplets on the collector evaporate into helium gas and escape, leaving a stable gold nanoparticle free of impurities.
“This new method can effectively produce gold nanoparticles and provides an opportunity for research and production of new materials that could solve energy and environmental problems. Brookhaven national laboratory and the U.S. air force research laboratory are providing opportunities for our students that will allow us to proceed more smoothly.” Orlov said.
Compared with matrix materials, nanoparticles have attracted more researchers’ attention due to their superior properties. Using nanoparticles could improve the sustainability of devices such as fuel cells, photocatalysts and solar panels. The nano-gold catalyst prepared in this study can convert toxic carbon monoxide gas into carbon dioxide, an important reaction that can be used in automotive catalytic converters to reduce environmental pollution.