One-step hydrothermal synthesis of silver nanoparticles loaded on N-doped carbon and application for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

In this work, we report a novel and facile one-step approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) loaded on N-doped carbon (NC) composites. Renewable natural chitosan not only acts as a reducer and stabilizer, but also serves as nitrogen and carbon source. After hydrothermal treatment, the spherical silver Ag NPs are obtained and loaded on the N-doped carbon. The composites were characterized by means of transmission electronic microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrum, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The catalytic activity of Ag-NC composites were measured for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with an excess amount of NaBH4. The results showed that the composites displayed superior catalytic activity.