Abstract
Unlike the versatile and facile preparation techniques for Au nanospheres (Au NSs), the synthetic methods for the one-dimensional anisotropic Au nanorods (Au NRs) were limited and relatively complicated, which restricted their practical applications. Hence, facile preparation methods using conventional raw chemicals are highly desirable for Au NRs. In this contribution, we developed a new facilely-prepared polymer template and stabilizer, i.e. hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI) modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber (abbreviated as PAN-g-PEI), for the in-situ generation of Au NRs through one-step NaBH4 reduction of the complex of PAN-g-PEI0.06 and HAuCl4 in water. Only PAN-g-PEI0.06 having a low PEI grafting amount was an effective polymer template and stabilizer. Under the same preparation condition, the utilization of other PAN-g-PEI with higher PEI grafting amount only resulted in Au NSs, not Au NRs. Au NRs/PAN-g-PEI0.06 was excellent recyclable catalyst for NaBH4-reduced reaction of 4-nitrophenol. Its turnover frequency was ca. 63.5 min−1, higher than not only Au NSs supported by PAN-g-PEI, but also majority of nanostructured metal catalytic systems. Moreover, Au NRs/PAN-g-PEI0.06 exhibited an unprecedentedly immortal catalytic activity, superior to Au NSs supported by PAN-g-PEI with higher PEI grafting amount. The easy preparation, recyclable nature and immortal catalytic activity make Au NRs/PAN-g-PEI0.06 a very promising material for practical use.
Published Version
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