Nanostructure SnO2 and supported Au catalysts: Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic oxidation of CO

Abstract

Nanostructure tin dioxide (SnO2) powders prepared by sol-gel dialytic processes using tin (IV) chloride and anhydrous alcohol as start materials, ammonia gas as catalyst of the formation of colloid solution and agent of removing Cl−, and by introducing dialytic processes to improve and accelerate the formation of gels. From the result of TG–DTA analyses, the dried samples were calcined at 673 K in air for 3 h. Tin dioxide nanoparticles were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analyses (TG–DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The average particle size of the as-prepared tin dioxide was about 5 nm. The as-prepared SnO2 possessed mesoporous structure and large surface area. The Au/SnO2 catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation were prepared by the deposition–precipitation method using as-prepared SnO2 powders as the support. The Au/SnO2 catalysts exhibited high catalytic activity for low-temperature CO oxidation. The nanostructure SnO2 has promising applications in sensor, catalyst, catalytic support, mesoporous membranes, etc.