Although gold is the subject of one of the most ancient themes of investigation in science, its renaissance now leads to an exponentially increasing number of publications, especially in the context of emerging nanoscience and nanotechnology with nanoparticles and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). We will limit the present review to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), also called gold colloids. AuNPs are the most stable metal nanoparticles, and they present fascinating aspects such as their assembly of multiple types involving materials science, the behavior of the individual particles, size-related electronic, magnetic and optical properties (quantum size effect), and their applications to catalysis and biology. Their promises are in these fields as well as in the bottom-up approach of nanotechnology, and they will be key materials and building block in the 21st century. Whereas the extraction of gold started in the 5th millennium B.C. near Varna (Bulgaria) and reached 10 tons per year in Egypt around 1200-1300 B.C. when the marvelous statue of Touthankamon was constructed, it is probable that “soluble” gold appeared around the 5th or 4th century B.C. in Egypt and China. In antiquity, materials were used in an ecological sense for both aesthetic and curative purposes. Colloidal gold was used to make ruby glass 293 Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 293−346

Gold nanoparticles: assembly, supramolecular chemistry, quantum-size-related properties, and applications toward biology, catalysis, and nanotechnology.

Crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are formed by reticular synthesis, which creates strong bonds between inorganic and organic units. Careful selection of MOF constituents can yield crystals of ultrahigh porosity and high thermal and chemical stability. These characteristics allow the interior of MOFs to be chemically altered for use in gas separation, gas storage, and catalysis, among other applications. The precision commonly exercised in their chemical modification and the ability to expand their metrics without changing the underlying topology have not been achieved with other solids. MOFs whose chemical composition and shape of building units can be multiply varied within a particular structure already exist and may lead to materials that offer a synergistic combination of properties.

The Chemistry and Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks

This critical review shows the basis of photocatalytic water splitting and experimental points, and surveys heterogeneous photocatalyst materials for water splitting into H2 and O2, and H2 or O2 evolution from an aqueous solution containing a sacrificial reagent Many oxides consisting of metal cations with d0 and d10 configurations, metal (oxy)sulfide and metal (oxy)nitride photocatalysts have been reported, especially during the latest decade The fruitful photocatalyst library gives important information on factors affecting photocatalytic performances and design of new materials Photocatalytic water splitting and H2 evolution using abundant compounds as electron donors are expected to contribute to construction of a clean and simple system for solar hydrogen production, and a solution of global energy and environmental issues in the future (361 references)

Heterogeneous photocatalyst materials for water splitting

The surface science of titanium dioxide

The interest in nanoscale materials stems from the fact that new properties are acquired at this length scale and, equally important, that these properties * To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone, 404-8940292; fax, 404-894-0294; e-mail, mostafa.el-sayed@ chemistry.gatech.edu. † Case Western Reserve UniversitysMillis 2258. ‡ Phone, 216-368-5918; fax, 216-368-3006; e-mail, burda@case.edu. § Georgia Institute of Technology. 1025 Chem. Rev. 2005, 105, 1025−1102

Chemistry and properties of nanocrystals of different shapes.

Size- and support-dependency in the catalysis of gold

Gold catalysts prepared by coprecipitation for low-temperature oxidation of hydrogen and of carbon monoxide

A variety of gold catalysts can be used to catalyze the oxidation of carbon monoxide at temperatures as low as −70 °C and are stable in a moistened gas atmosphere. The novel catalysts, prepared by coprecipitation, are composed of ultra-fine gold particles and one of the oxides of 3d transition metals of group VIII, namely, Fe, Co, and Ni.

Novel Gold Catalysts for the Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide at a Temperature far Below 0 °C

[Xie, Xiaowei; Li, Yong; Shen, Wenjie] Chinese Acad Sci, Dalian Inst Chem Phys, State Key Lab Catalysis, Dalian 116023, Peoples R China. [Liu, Zhi-Quan] Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Met Res, Shenyang Natl Lab Mat Sci, Shenyang 110016, Peoples R China. [Haruta, Masatake] Tokyo Metropolitan Univ, Grad Sch Urban Environm Sci, Dept Appl Chem, Tokyo 1920397, Japan. [Haruta, Masatake] Japan Sci & Technol Agcy, CREST, Kawaguchi, Saitama 3320012, Japan.;Shen, WJ (reprint author), Chinese Acad Sci, Dalian Inst Chem Phys, State Key Lab Catalysis, Dalian 116023, Peoples R China;shen98@dicp.ac.cn

Low-temperature oxidation of CO catalysed by Co 3 O 4 nanorods

Gold catalysts have recently been attracting rapidly growing interests due to their potential applicabilities to many reactions of both industrial and environmental importance. This article reviews the latest advances in the catalysis research on Au. For low-temperature CO oxidation mechanistic arguments are summarized, focusing on Au/TiO 2 together with the effect of preparation conditions and pretreatments. The quantum size effect is also discussed in the adsorption and reaction of CO over Au clusters smaller than 2 nm in diameter. In addition, recent developments are introduced in the epoxidation of propylene, water-gas-shift reaction, hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, and liquid-phase selective oxidation. The role of perimeter interface between Au particles and the support is emphasized as a unique reaction site for the reactants adsorbed separately, one on Au and another on the support surfaces.

Masatake Haruta

Papers

Size- and support-dependency in the catalysis of gold

Gold catalysts prepared by coprecipitation for low-temperature oxidation of hydrogen and of carbon monoxide

Novel Gold Catalysts for the Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide at a Temperature far Below 0 °C

Low-temperature oxidation of CO catalysed by Co 3 O 4 nanorods

Advances in the catalysis of Au nanoparticles