Noble metal nanoparticles (Mx = Ag, Au, Pd) decorated graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for ultrafast catalytic reduction of anthropogenic pollutant, 4-nitrophenol

We report an effective facile immobilization of noble nanoparticles (Mx = Ag, Au and Pd) assembled on g-C3N4 (g-CN) prepared via a simple ultra-sonication strategy. The Mx assembled g-CN nanocomposites were applied for the effective conversion of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). As prepared nanocomposites were characterized by techniques of XRD, SEM-EDS, TEM, XPS, and FT-IR analysis to gain crystallographic structural, and morphological insights. The Pd@g-C3N4 (Pd@g-CN) nanocomposite exhibited best catalytic performance (k(app) = 1.141 min -1) toward the conversion of 4-NP to 4-aminophenol (4-AP), almost 100% within 4 min using aqueous sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The higher catalytic efficiency of Pd@g-CN could be attributed to the surface electron density on the Pd and rapid electron transfer capacity. Interestingly, g-CN not only role as a stabilizer but also provided compatibility for noble metal deposition, which improves the chemical and morphological stability of noble metal nanoparticles. Different reaction parameters including concentrations of 4-NP, and catalyst amount were studied. These unique combinations make noble metal nanoparticles anchored g-CN nanosheets an ideal platform for catalysis applications and environmental remediation.

Automated summary

We report an effective method for immobilizing noble metal nanoparticles on g-C3N4 nanosheets via ultrasonication. The Pd@g-C3N4 nanocomposite exhibits the best catalytic performance for the conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. The g-CN not only acts as a stabilizer, but also improves the stability of the noble metal nanoparticles.