Understanding on the origins of hydroxyapatite stabilized gold nanoparticles as high-efficiency catalysts for formaldehyde and benzene oxidation

Hydroxyapatite as a green and abundant material was found to enhance the stabilization of gold nanoparticles against sintering. The origins of such stabilization of HAP on supported gold nanopartides were investigated in the present study. Phosphate groups interacted and stabilized nano-gold at lower temperature (<= 400 degrees C), while hydroxyl group contributed to the stabilization at higher temperature (600 degrees C). Both of them contributed to the strong sintering-resistant for calcination as high as 600 degrees C. For the first time we found that Au/HAP and Au/CeO2/HAP catalysts are highly active and stable for formaldehyde and benzene oxidation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.