Comparative Study of the Synthesis of sub‐10 nm Carbon‐Supported Gold Nanoparticles and their Suitability for Methanol Electrooxidation in Alkaline Media

Gold nanoparticles where synthesized and supported on carbon, or directly carbon according to five different methods reported in literature, aiming at particles < 10 nm. Characterization was done with transmission electron microscopy thermogravimetric analysis. Although all syntheses yielded an average diameter nm, the formation of few very large particles, a relatively amount Au is buried, as well loss during supporting procedure led exclusion four tested for further studies. The most promising AuNPs methanol electrooxidation (MEO) alkaline media. Four Au-loadings realized, moderate particle growth depending loading. To compare MEO activity samples Au‑loadings conversion factor developed can be compared terms NP size Au-loading.