Synthesis of Pd/Au bimetallic nanoparticle-loaded ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for highly efficient catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol

Abstract

Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) applied in heterogeneous catalysis have attracted considerable attention due to their highly efficient catalytic performance. Pd/Au bimetallic NPs were successfully decorated on the ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4-N) by a facile one-pot deposition reduction method. The obtained results show that Pd/Au NPs with average diameter around 8nm are homogeneously dispersed on the surface of unmodified g-C3N4-N. The obtained materials were characterized via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, considering the large surface area and special π-bonded planar structure, the unique ultrathin g-C3N4-N behave as an excellent carrier and stabilizer in this synthesis. The as-synthesized Pd/Au bimetallic nanohybrids show superior catalytic performance and stability for reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP), which is better than either of pure Pd or Au nanohybrids. Besides, the catalytic activities of Pd/Au@g-C3N4-N nanohybrids were found to be controlled by altering the Pd versus Au mass ratio in the preparation process.