Abstract: Precious metal nanomaterials have shown significantly different reactivity and catalytic activity because of their small-size effects. In this report, we focused on gold nanoparticle-based catalysts, especially gold nanoparticle surface-bound catalysts, their preparation and application. Because of its special surface properties, gold can form stable bonds with sulfur containing molecules including sulfides and thiols. These molecules form well ordered self-assembled monolayers on gold nanoparticles, which render monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (MPGs) with good solubility, easy characterization, extraordinary stability, and versatility. With attached functional groups, we used MPGs as surface-bound catalysts. These catalysts show the combined characteristics of a homogeneous and a heterogeneous catalyst, which is critical for theoretical aspects and in the development of new types of surface-bound catalysts.

Key words: gold nanoparticle, coordination catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, surface-bound catalyst