Abstract
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•Ceria nanorod supported AuxPdy NPs are highly stable, showing negligible leaching.•Au-rich AuxPdy/Ce-NR most active for glucose oxidation.•Glucose conversion dependent on bimetallic composition with a maximum at 61 at.% Au.•Selectivity to gluconic acid is >98% at all bimetallic compositions.
The catalytic performance of AuxPdy nanoparticles prepared by colloidal synthesis and immobilised on ceria nanorods (Ce-NR) in the selective oxidation of glucose has been studied under initially basic and relatively mild conditions. Activity was found to be strongly dependent on the bimetallic composition with Au-rich catalysts being more active in glucose oxidation. Catalyst recycling revealed negligible deactivation or metal loss from leaching, and continuing high selectivity to gluconic acid (≥97.7%). Defects on the Ce-NR surface appear to serve as anchoring sites for Au-Pd NPs giving rise to small and very stable NPs.