Gold fever
The catalytic potential of gold nanoparticles was overlooked for years, but researchers are making up for lost time, writes Bea Perks
Gold was among the first elements known to man, but it was quite some time before chemists realised it might be useful as well as beautiful. A gold nugget is relatively unreactive, but take it down to the nanoscale and it’s a different story. Gold nanoparticles make exceptionally active catalysts. They are not just good catalysts; they are the very best available for a number of reactions. They are, to use a well-worn cliche, worth more than their weight in gold.