Au nanoparticles coated on the surface of glass (Sample A) or on anodic aluminum oxide template surface (Sample B) were prepared using titanium dioxide sol-gel doped with chloroauric acid and with a reduction process. FE-SEM, UV-Vis spectrum and Fluorescence spectrum tests show that Au nanoparticles have been distributed randomly on the surface of glass, while deposition occurs on the surface of regular hollows for anodic aluminum oxide template. A sharp absorption peak appears at the wavelength of 536 nm for sample B, while there is a red shift, with a broader peak for sample A. A distinct fluorescence emission at the wavelength of 633 nm is detected for sample A, but no noticeable fluorescence emission has been found for Sample B. The results indicate that the microstructure and optical properties of Au nanoparticles can be modulated by different substrate. Au nanoparticles coated on the surface of glass (Sample A) or on anodic aluminum oxide template surface (Sample B) were prepared using titanium dioxide sol-gel doped with chloroauric acid and with a reduction process. Fluorescence spectrum tests show that Au nanoparticles have been distributed randomly on the surface of glass, while deposition occurs on the surface of regular hollows for anodic aluminum oxide template. A sharp absorption peak appears at the wavelength of 536 nm for sample B, while there is a red shift, with a broader peak for sample A. A distinct fluorescence emission at the wavelength 633 nm is detected for sample A, but no noticeable fluorescence emission has been found for Sample B. The results indicate that the microstructure and optical properties of Au nanoparticles can be modulated by different substrate.