Gold nanoparticles （Au NPs） exhibit great application potential in the reduction of aromatic nitro compound pollutants, owing to their nanoscale size effects and excellent catalytic properties. However, their tendency to aggregate has hindered practical applications. In this study, perfusion silica gel microspheres （PSM） with a hierarchical porous structure comprising macropores, mesopores, and perfusion pores were used as a support material. The surface of the PSM was first modified with thiol groups and then combined with gold nanoparticles to fabricate Au NPs/PSM composite microspheres. These composite microspheres were characterized by SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy and XRD. The catalytic performance of the Au NPs/PSM catalyst in reducing 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol was investigated. The results showed that the composite microspheres retained their perfusion channels, and the Au NPs were uniformly distributed on the PSM surface. The average size of the Au NPs was approximately 4.8 nm, with a mass loading fraction of 2.72%. The Au NPs/PSM composite was employed as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. At 30 °C, the catalytic reaction followed first-order kinetics, with a rate constant of 0.103 min?1. The composite microspheres demonstrate excellent catalytic activity, good stability, and high recyclability.