Adsorption of small molecules on gold single crystal surfaces

Abstract

Much more work has been carried out on supported gold catalysts (also called “real” catalysts) than on gold single crystal surfaces. However, for fundamental understanding of catalysis by gold, well-defined gold surfaces and controlled conditions using the surface science approach may provide useful information concerning reaction mechanisms and the nature of active centers. This paper presents a brief overview on the work carried out regarding adsorption of several small molecules on gold surfaces from 2004, date of the last review on gold surface science [R. Meyer, C. Lemire, S.K. Shaikhutdinov and H. Freund,Gold Bull., 2004, 37, 72], until recently. Both experimental and theoretical results are discussed. A large difference between the flat Au(111), by far the most studied surface, and stepped/kinked surfaces, is found, demonstrating the importance of low-coordinated Au atoms for high catalytic activity.