The group around Xin BAO has designed and prepared Au-CeOx catalysts based on Au nanoparticles. Density functional theory calculations showed that the Au-CeOx interface contributes to the stabilization of the key intermediate species, *COOH, during the subsequent hydrogenation process, thereby promoting the formation and desorption of carbon monoxide. At -0.89 V (vs. RHE), the Faraday efficiency of carbon monoxide formation of such Au-CeOx catalyst was 89.1%.

CAS news release, May 12, 2017