Preparation and characterization of nanogold supported over Zr/SBA 15

Full text: Nanogold catalysis, because of its unique properties has become a well established choice for many chemical transformations with pre-eminence established now in both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. In the present work, nanogold is supported over Zr doped SBA 15 mesoporous silica. Nanogold is prepared using chloroauric acid solution under basic conditions. Zr doping is done over SBA 15 via simple impregnation method using zirconyl nitrate as the precursor. The prepared systems are characterized using various experimental techniques. Efficient dispersion of small sized nanogold particles are confirmed from the absence of XRD peak around 20 value of 38 deg. FTIR spectra indicate the formation of Zr-O-Si bonding. The morphology of SBA 15 remains unaffected even after high percentage loading of zirconia as well as introduction of nanogold which is evident from SEM photographs