Nanoscale Magnetic Stirring Bars for Heterogeneous Catalysis in Microscopic Systems

Abstract

AbstractNanometer‐sized magnetic stirring bars containing Pd nanoparticles (denoted as Fe3O4‐NC‐PZS‐Pd) for heterogeneous catalysis in microscopic system were prepared through a facile two‐step process. In the hydrogenation of styrene, Fe3O4‐NC‐PZS‐Pd showed an activity similar to that of the commercial Pd/C catalyst, but much better stability. In microscopic catalytic systems, Fe3O4‐NC‐PZS‐Pd can effectively stir the reaction solution within microdrops to accelerate mass transfer, and displays far better catalytic activity than the commercial Pd/C for the hydrogenation of methylene blue in an array of microdroplets. These results suggested that the Fe3O4‐NC‐PZS‐Pd could be used as nanoscale stirring bars in nanoreactors.