Plasma synthesis of oxidized graphene foam supporting Pd nanoparticles as a new catalyst for one-pot synthesis of dibenzyls

We have developed an environmentally-friendly method for the synthesis of Pd nanoparticle (Pd NPs) decorated different graphene supports, and the morphology and structure of the hybrids are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and elemental mappings. Four hybrid materials based on graphene foam (GF), oxidized graphene foam (OGF), graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) have been used to catalyze Heck coupling reactions, and the effect of support on the activity of the hybrid material has been studied. Our results have revealed that Pd NP decorated OGF (Pd/OGF) is the most active catalyst, showing better performance than the commercial Pd/C catalyst. More importantly, the Pd/OGF catalyst has been successfully used for one-pot synthesis of dibenzyls with different aryl bromides and olefins, which has simplified the separation and purification process and realized a green organic synthesis process.