Simultaneous deposition of Au nanoparticles during flame synthesis of TiO₂ and SiO₂

Abstract

Nanostructured gold/titania and gold/silica particles with up to 4 wt% Au were made by a single-step process in a spray flame reactor. Gold(III)-chloride hydrate and titania- or silica-based metalorganic precursors were mixed in a liquid fuel solution, keeping concentrations in the flame and overall combustion enthalpy constant. The powders were characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and ultraviolet–visible analysis. The titania or silica specific surface area and the crystalline structure of titania were not affected by the presence of gold in the flame. Furthermore the size of the gold deposits was independent of the metal oxide support (TiO₂ or SiO₂) and its specific surface area (100 and 320 m²/g, respectively). The gold nanoparticles were nonagglomerated, spherical, mostly single crystalline, and well dispersed on the metal oxide support. Depending on the Au weight fraction (1, 2, and 4 wt%) the Au nanoparticles’ mass mean diameter was 3, 7, and 15 nm, respectively, on both titania and silica. The particles showed surface plasmon absorption bands in the ultraviolet–visible region, which is typical for nano-sized gold. This absorption band was red shifted in the case of the titania support, while no shift occurred with the silica support.