Surface Cavities of Ni(OH)₂Nanowires can Host Au Nanoparticles as Supported Catalysts with High Catalytic Activity and Stability

Na Han, Shiyi Cao, Jie Han,* Yimin Hu, Xiaohong Zhang and Rong Guo*

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University

Abstract:We present a proof-of-concept demonstration of surface cavities for incorporation of noble metal nanoparticles with remarkable catalytic performance involved in liquid phase catalytic reactions. Mesoporous Ni(OH)₂(m-Ni(OH)₂) nanowires with surface cavities have been chosen as multifunctional supports for Au nanoparticles with a well controlled size (2 nm) and high dispersity through a facile room-temperature in situ reduction process without any additional stabilizer. In addition to immobilizing Au nanoparticles, the cavities also can prevent aggregation of neighboring noble metal nanoparticles, thus ensuring high stability/recyclability for Au/m-Ni(OH)₂supported nanocatalysts. The results from catalytic reactions involved in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH₄using Au/m-Ni(OH)₂as the catalyst demonstrated its remarkable catalytic performance due to its nanoscale configuration.

J Mater Chem A-2016-4-2590

J Mater Chem A, 2016, 4, 2590-25-2596