Selective transformation of ethanol to acetaldehyde catalyzed by Au/h-BN interface prepared on Rh(111) surface

•Gold increased the stability of ethanol molecules on h-BN covered Rh(111) and was active in the dehydrogenation process.•The active sites of gold clusters on h-BN are very likely the edge and corner atoms on the interface of gold/BN nanomesh.•Au/BN serves a good product selectivity in the ethanol dissociation process producing carbon free hydrogen and acetaldehyde.