In this article, we demonstrate novel mesoporous Au-loaded
TiO₂ nanoparticle assemblies (Au-MTA) as high-effective
catalysts for the selective transformation of nitroaromatics into the
corresponding aryl amine products. These materials feature a
three-dimensional open porous structure consisting of interconnected
uniform gold and TiO₂ nanoparticles, large internal surface area
(ca. 104 120 m²/g), and narrow mesopores (ca. 7.3 7.6 nm).
We show that both chemoselectivity and hydrogenation activity of the Au-MTA
are highly related to the Au loading and particle size. As a result
the 2% Au-MTA associated with 5-nm-sized Au particles has found to be
a prominent catalyst for hydrogenation reactions, providing
exceptionally high selectivity (>96%) and conversion yield (>92%) to
the corresponding amines.

From: I. Tamiolakis, S. Fountoulaki, N. Vordos, I.N. Lykakis, G.S. Armatas,
“Mesoporous Au TiO₂ nanoparticle assemblies as efficient catalysts for the chemoselective reduction of nitro compounds“,
J. Matter. Chem. A
1, 14311 (2013).