One-step preparation of Fe3O4/Pd@polypyrrole composites with enhanced catalytic activity and stability

Core/shell Fe3O4/Pd@polypyrrole (PPy) composites with a Fe3O4 core and a PPy shell embedding Pd nanoparticles were prepared in one-step. The diameter of highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles was as small as 2.9 nm owing to coordination interaction generated between Pd2+ ions and amino groups on PPy chains. The outer PPy shell was only 6.8 nm: on one hand, the coverage was beneficial to improving the stability of resulting composites; on the other hand, the shell was thin enough to permit free contact between embedding Pd nanoparticles and reactants. Additionally, the as-prepared Fe3O4/Pd@PPy composites displayed good magnetic separation property due to incorporation of Fe3O4 nanospheres. Based on above merits, they served as suitable catalyst candidates. Their catalytic performance and reusability were evaluated by reduction of 4-nitrophenol with sodium borohydride as reducing agent. Compared with traditional Fe3O4/Pd composites, Fe3O4/Pd@PPy composites not only showed superior catalytic activity; but also exhibited much better stability in successive cycling tests. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.