Catalytic Performance of CuPd/BNNS Nanocatalysts Prepared by Microwave-Assisted Synthesis for the Reduction of Cr(VI)

Abstract

Copper-palladium (CuPd)/boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) nanocatalysts were successfully prepared by a microwave-assisted method by using BNNSs as a carrier. These catalysts with a low noble metal content had a high catalytic activity for Cr(VI) reduction at room temperature. The reaction rate reached 0.04044[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text], which was approximately 2.5 times that of Cu8Pd2/rGO with the same metal loading amount. Compared with the previously reported PdCu/NG nanocatalysts with a high noble metal content, the reaction rate increased more than five times. This is of great significance to the application of supported metal composites in environmental catalysis. The structure and morphology of the catalyst was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Several types of control experiments showed that the catalytic activity of the catalysts was not only influenced by the synergistic effect of bimetallic CuPd and metal-BNNSs but also related to the catalytic effect of the BNNS carrier itself.