This review discusses different types of nano-gold hybrid materials used in electrodes for fuel cells and their application for the electrochemical reduction of oxygen, with the majority operating in alkaline media. The various synthesis methods for these materials are also described. Successful applications of these emerging hybrid materials with respect to parameters such as size and crystallographic orientations of nano-gold materials in electrodes, nano-gold composites on different substrates and electrode materials, nano-gold as binary catalytic materials, as well as dealloyed nanoporous gold electrocatalysts are highlighted. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) are also discussed in the context of bioengineering topics such as bio-sensors, bio-fuel cells, and doping of biological molecules like DNA with NPs. Furthermore, limitations of these applications in addition to future applications that could be explored in the field of nano-gold hybrid materials are mentioned. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.