LAUSR

Abstract The discovery of graphene oxide (GO) has motivated enormous applications of gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) in catalysis due to its ability to function as a suitable catalyst support material. This review discussed the routes for AuNPs-GO synthesis such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), electrochemical, sol-gel and hydrothermal methods as it pertains to chemical synthesis. Accordingly, the CVD approach has the capability of producing a single layer of well-distributed AuNPs over GO to form a nanohybrid framework. Although the common application of AuNPs-GO nanohybrids has been in nanosensors, recent reports showed its aptitude in chemical synthesis through hydrogenation and oxidation reactions involving organic molecules. Therefore, due to the existing attributes of AuNPs catalysis, recommendations were suggested to guide its usage in the form of AuNPs-GO nanohybrids as a catalyst for specialty chemical production. This report should inspire future use of AuNPs-GO in the industrial catalytic synthesis of various pharmaceuticals and energy-based platform organic molecules.