Palladium nanoparticle-graphene hybrids as active catalysts for the Suzuki reaction

Graphene has been successfully modified with palladium nanoparticles in a facile manner by reducing palladium acetate [Pd(OAc)(2)] in the present of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), which is used as both surfactant and the reducing agent. The palladium nanoparticle-graphene hybrids (Pd-graphene hybrids) are characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We demonstrate that the Pd-graphene hybrids can act as an efficient catalyst for the Suzuki reaction under aqueous and aerobic conditions, with the reaction reaching completion in as little as 5 min. The influence of the preparation conditions on the catalytic activities of the hybrids is also investigated.