6s–5d hybridization and the up-shift of the 5d band to the Fermi level is demonstrated in catalytically active gold clusters on a cerium oxide nanorod support by using resonant photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory modeling. These results help to explain the high catalytic activity of this system in CO oxidation.

Funding Support:  Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences, National Science Foundation through Nebraska MRSEC, Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience and NSF-EPSCoR program, Department of Energy, and Army Research Office