In this study, colloidal tungsten oxide nanoparticles were fabricated by pulsed laser ablation of tungsten target using the first harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) in deionized water. After ablation, a 0.33 g/lit HAuCl4 aqueous solution was added into as-prepared colloidal nanoparticles. In this process, Au3+ ions were reduced to decorate gold metallic state (Au-0) onto colloidal tungsten oxide nanoparticles surface. The morphology and chemical composition of the synthesized nanoparticles were studied by AFM, XRD, TEM and XPS techniques. UV-Vis analysis reveals a distinct absorption peak at similar to 530 nm. This peak can be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Au and confirms formation of gold state. Moreover, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that Au ions' reduction happens after adding HAuCl4 solution into as-prepared colloidal tungsten oxide nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscope shows that an Au shell has been decorated onto colloidal WO3 nanoparticles. Noble metal decorated tungsten oxide nanostructure could be an excellent candidate for photocatalysis, gas sensing and gasochromic applications. Finally, the gasochromic behavior of the synthesized samples was investigated by H-2 and O-2 gases bubbling into the produced colloidal Au/WO3 nanoparticles. Synthesized colloidal nanoparticles show excellent coloration contrast (similar to 80%) through NIR spectra. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.