Simple self-assembly of HLaNb2O7 nanosheets and Ag nanoparticles/clusters and their catalytic properties

HLaNb2O7 nanosheets and Ag nanoparticles/clusters were assembled to produce a novel 3D metal/semiconductor hybrid material (Ag/HLaNb2O7) by direct reaction of the undried D-glucopyranose derivative of HLaNb2O7 with [Ag(NH3)(2)](+) ion aqueous solution. The as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible diffusive reflectance spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The results showed that the simple self-assembly of HLaNb2O7 nanosheets and Ag nanoparticles/clusters formed a mesoporous material with a broad pore size distribution in the range of about 10-35 nm. The mesopores derived from the interspaces between HLaNb2O7 nanosheets and were attributed to Ag nanoparticles, rather than Ag clusters in the interlayer space of HLaNb2O7. The catalytic activity experiments revealed that the product (Ag/HLaNb2O7) was an excellent catalyst for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and rhodamine B (RhB) by NaBH4 aqueous solution.