Nanocatalysis: hypothesis on the action mechanism of gold

In this article, the problem of nanocatalysis is considered when the catalysts are gold nanoparticles. The main experimental facts are presented and basic qualitative dependences are highlighted. The hypothesis considers the role of Tamm states of gold nanoparticles, with the modification of these states to reduce nanoparticle sizes. A semi-quantitative quantum-chemical reaction scheme of oxygen dissociation with gold nanocatalysis is shown. A theoretical answer to the basic experimental test has been obtained.