Bifunctional nanocatalyst based on three-dimensional carbon nanotube-graphene hydrogel supported Pd nanoparticles: one-pot synthesis and its catalytic properties.
We reported the development of a new type of bifunctional nanocatalyst based on three-dimensional (3D) macroscopic carbon nanotube (CNT)-graphene hydrogel (GH) supported Pd nanoparticles (i.e., Pd-CNT-GH) and explored its practical application in catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol. The 3D Pd-CNT-GH was synthesized by a facile one-pot self-assembled approach through hydrothermal treatment of a mixed aqueous precursor solution of PdCl4(2-), CNT, and graphene oxide (GO). Under the appropriate condition, the spontaneous redox reaction between precursor PdCl4(2-) and CNT-GO as well as the self-assembly of macroscopic CNT-GH occurs simultaneously, leading to the formation of 3D Pd-CNT-GH. Because of the unique structural and functional properties of different components in the nanocatalyst and the synergistic effect between them, the as-prepared Pd-CNT-GH exhibits superior catalytic performance toward the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol, with 100% conversion within 30 s, even when the content of Pd in it is as low as 2.98 wt %. Moreover, after 20 successive cycles of reactions, the reaction time still keeps within 46 s. Therefore, the rational design of 3D macroscopic graphene-based nanohybrid material supported highly catalytically active nanoparticles, combined with the facile one-pot self-assembled strategy, provide a universal platform to fabricate desired 3D multifunctional nanomaterials that can be used in a broad range of catalysis, environmental protection, energy storage and conversation, drug delivery, chemical and biological sensing, and so forth.
School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China.
Zheye
Z
Zhang
Tai
T
Sun
Chen
C
Chen
Fei
F
Xiao
Zheng
Z
Gong
Shuai
S
Wang
D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002384:Catalysis; D006108:Graphite / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry
D020100:Hydrogels; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D010087:Oxides; D010165:Palladium; D006108:Graphite
carbon nanotube; catalysis; graphene hydrogel; one-pot self-assembly; p-nitrophenol; palladium nanoparticles