Catalytic properties of gold nanoparticles in H2—D2 exchange and ortho—para hydrogen conversion

Gold nanoparticles of 3.8, 4.6, and 19.4 nm size, unlike the bulk metal, can adsorb hydrogen and catalyze the deuterium—protium exchange in the 77—523 K range. It has been shown that as the particle size decreases, the specific catalytic activity increases. The exceptionally high catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles in the ortho—para hydrogen conversion with respect to the deuterium—hydrogen exchange may indicate that at low temperatures the nanoparticles exhibit magnetic properties.