Ag-Pd and CuO-Pd nanoparticles in a hydroxyl-group functionalized ionic liquid: synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance

Heteronuclear Ag-Pd and CuO-Pd nanoparticles with a controllable Ag : Pd or Cu : Pd ratio were easily synthesized through thermal decomposition of their acetate salts in a functionalized ionic liquid, [C(2)OHmim][NTf2]. The structural and electronic properties of these particles were characterized by ICP-OES, TEM, XRD and XPS techniques. The Ag-Pd nanoparticles have a silver enriched core covered by a Pd enriched shell. The addition of Ag clearly enhanced the catalytic activity of Pd in the hydrogenation of -NO2 and -C=C- functionalities. Interestingly, in the CuO-Pd nanoparticles, Pd tends to stay in the inner part of the particle, leaving the outer layer rich in CuO, which exhibits less activity than Pd NPs.