In this work, we report that presynthesized metallic nanoparticles (such as gold nanoparticles), rather
than on-site growing ones that are prepared under thermally or photochemically activated conditions,
can be “impregnated” uniformly onto premade oxide supports with organic interconnects which have
bifunctional groups. Methodic features of this general technique have been demonstrated using a model
metal−oxide system, Au/TiO2 (TiO2 in anatase phase) catalyst, in the photodegradation of organic
compounds (e.g., methyl orange). On the basis of our investigations with a range of analytical techniques,
it has been further found that, if desired, permanent engagement and direct contact between the supported
metals and oxide carriers can also be achieved with additional heat treatments. In principle, other oxide-supported metal catalysts can also be fabricated at low temperatures through these types of self-assembling
routes.