Size Effect of Gold Nanoparticles in Catalytic Reduction of p-Nitrophenol with NaBH4

Molecules

Chao Lin¹  Kai Tao¹  Dayin Hua³  Zhen Ma² 

[1] Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China;Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP³), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China;Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China

关键词: gold catalysts;    alumina;    p-nitrophenol;    nanoparticles;    size effect;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules181012609

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were prepared by reducing HAuCl₄ with NaBH₄. Their average particle sizes could be tuned in the range of 1.7 and 8.2 nm, by adjusting the amount of NaBH₄ used during synthesis. The obtained Au NPs (colloids) were then loaded onto a commercial Al₂O₃ support to prepare Au/Al₂O₃ catalysts with tunable Au particle sizes. An optimal pH value (5.9) of the Au colloid solution was found to be essential for loading Au NPs onto Al₂O₃ while avoiding the growth of Au NPs. Au NPs and Au/Al₂O₃ catalysts were tested in the reduction of p-nitrophenol with NaBH₄. Interestingly, the catalytic activity depended on the size of Au NPs, being the highest when the average size was 3.4 nm. Relevant characterization by UV-Vis, TEM, and XRD was conducted.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.