Gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion and preparing the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion represented by [Chemical Formula 1] and a method for preparing the same: Au n (SR) m   [Chemical Formula 1] wherein SR is an organic thiol-based ligand containing an anionic terminal group, n is an integer between 25 and 102 and m is an integer between 18 and 44. Since the gold nanocluster catalyst according to the present disclosure has superior carbon dioxide conversion activity, the gold nanocluster catalyst may be used for a gas diffusion electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion represented by [Chemical Formula 1]:
   Au n (SR) m   [Chemical Formula 1]
   wherein SR is an organic thiol-based ligand comprising an anionic terminal group, n is an integer between 25 and 102 and m is an integer between 18 and 44.   
     
     
         2 . The gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 1 , wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, R is any one selected from a group consisting of a C 3 -C 30  aryl group, a C 3 -C 40  arylalkyl group, a C 3 -C 30  heteroaryl group and a C 3 -C 40  heteroarylalkyl group. 
     
     
         3 . The gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 1 , wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, the anionic terminal group is COOH or SO 3 H. 
     
     
         4 . The gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 1 , wherein the Au n (SR) m  of Chemical Formula 1 is Au 25 (SC 5 H 10 COOH) 18 , Au 67 (SC 5 H 10 COOH) 35 , Au 102 (SC 5 H 10 COOH) 44  or Au 25 (SC 3 H 6 SO 3 H) 18 . 
     
     
         5 . The gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst has a size of 1.1-1.6 nm. 
     
     
         6 . A gas diffusion electrode comprising the gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A method for preparing a gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion represented by [Chemical Formula 1], comprising:
 (I) a step of preparing a precursor solution comprising a gold precursor;   (II) a step of preparing a solution of an organic thiol-based ligand having an anionic functional group;   (III) a step of obtaining a reaction solution by mixing and stirring the precursor solution and the ligand solution and optionally adding a reaction catalyst; and   (IV) a step of obtaining a nanocluster by adding a reducing agent to the reaction solution and stirring, filtering and drying the same:
   Au n (SR) m   [Chemical Formula 1]
 
   wherein SR is an organic thiol-based ligand comprising an anionic terminal group, n is an integer between 25 and 102 and m is an integer between 18 and 44.   
     
     
         8 . The method for preparing a gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 7 , wherein the gold precursor is HAuCl 4 ·3H 2 O. 
     
     
         9 . The method for preparing a gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 7 , wherein the organic thiol-based ligand having an anionic functional group is SCH 10 COOH or SC 3 H 6 SO 3 H. 
     
     
         10 . The method for preparing a gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 7 , wherein the reaction catalyst is NaOH or KOH. 
     
     
         11 . The method for preparing a gold nanocluster catalyst for carbon dioxide conversion according to  claim 7 , wherein the reducing agent is any one selected from a group consisting of NaBH 4 , LiBH 4 , KBH 4  and LiAlH 4 .