Stabilization and Au sintering prevention promoted by ZnO in CeOx–ZnO porous nanorods decorated with Au nanoparticles in the catalysis of the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction

•Novel porous CeO2–ZnO nanorods decorated with Au for WGS catalysis.•Acid lixiviation allowed controlled etching of CeO2 NR pores to better fit Au.•In CeO2–ZnO NR, ZnO forms a thin amorphous layer and some Zn(II) dopes CeO2.•Formation of smaller AuNP over CeO2–ZnO NR compared with CeO2 NR.•ZnO prevented Au sintering in WGS catalysis, even at 400–450 °C.