FeO(OH) nanorods were prepared by a mild hydrothermal synthesis using tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) as the structure director. The as-prepared FeO(OH) was converted to porous α-Fe2O3 nanorods via calcination at 300 °C. The α-Fe2O3 nanorods have a pore size distribution in the range of 1−5 nm, which is ideal to house very small gold (Au) particles. Later, by employing our invented Au- colloid-method, in which lysine was used as the capping reagent and sonication was employed to facilitate the deposition of the Au particles, we inserted very small Au particles into these pores. The prepared Au/α-Fe2O3-nanorod catalyst exhibited higher catalytic activity than the Au/α-Fe2O3 (Fluka) catalyst.

Two novel methods, one for preparation of porous a-Fe 2 O 3 nanorod catalyst support and another for the deposition of gold (Au) particles on the catalyst support with high efficiency and high dispersion, were reported. In the former, FeO(OH) nanorods were first prepared by a mild hydrothermal synthesis using tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) as the structure director. The FeO(OH) product was then converted to porous a-Fe 2 O 3 nanorods via calcination at 300°C. During this calcination, pores with a size distribution in the range of 1-5 nm were generated by removal of TEAOH molecules. By employing our invented Au colloid-based and sonication-assisted method, in which lysine was used as the capping agent and sonication was employed to facilitate the deposition of the Au particles, we were able to deposit very small Au particles (2-5 nm) into these pores. This method is rapid as the reaction/deposition is completed within 1 min. The prepared Au/a-Fe 2 O 3 -nanorod catalyst exhibited much higher catalytic activity than the Au/commercial a-Fe 2 O 3 (Fluka) catalyst.