A high-performance and well-dispersed Ag–Pd/UCNTs catalyst for aqueous-phase dechlorination of chlorobenzene

Abstract

A facile one-pot strategy to prepare hollow Ag–Pd nanocubes is demonstrated via galvanic replacement reaction of Ag nanocubes, using which a high-performance and well-dispersed Ag–Pd/unzipped carbon nanotubes (Ag–Pd/UCNTs) catalyst for aqueous-phase dechlorination reaction of chlorobenzene is acquired through coupling UCNTs. The structure, size, morphology, and catalytic properties of the Ag–Pd/UCNTs catalyst were characterized by TEM, XRD, and GC–MS. Our results indicate that, besides component, size, and shape of the Pd-based catalysts, supporting materials (e.g., carbon materials) also play an important role in catalytic properties of the Pd-based catalysts. Compared with the pure Ag–Pd nanocubes, Ag–Pd/CNTs, and Ag–Pd/reduced UCNTs (Ag–Pd/RUCNTs), the Ag–Pd/UCNTs catalyst possesses excellent catalytic properties on dechlorination reaction of chlorobenzene. The Ag–Pd/UCNTs catalyst is therefore hopeful to have potential applications in the degradation of aryl halide contaminants.