Microreactors for the continuous and green synthesis of palladium nanoparticles: Enhancement of the catalytic properties

Abstract

Synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) employing green reagents like glucose and starch was performed in two different reaction configurations: (i) the conventional batch method and (ii) with continuous microreactor technology. The synthetized nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, UV–vis spectroscopy and TEM. The reaction conducted in the microreactor led onto smaller PdNPs with a monodispersed size distribution. The catalytic response of both obtained materials was tested on the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. As a result, the smaller PdNPs synthesized with the continuous flow presented higher catalytic activity due to the high catalytic surface area of the small nanoparticles.