Synthesis of Cu2O@Ag Polyhedral Core–Shell Nanoparticles by a Thermal Decomposition Approach for Catalytic Applications. Issue 10 (7th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kandula, Syam; Jeevanandam, Pethaiyan
• Is Part Of: European journal of inorganic chemistry. Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 1548
• Page End: 1557
• Publication Date: 2016-03-07
• Subjects: Nanoparticles -- Core–shell structures -- Silver -- Copper oxide -- Reduction; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Organometallic chemistry -- Periodicals; Bioinorganic chemistry -- Periodicals; Solid state chemistry -- Periodicals; 546
• DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201501389
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1434-1948

Abstract

Abstract: Cu2 O@Ag polyhedral core–shell nanoparticles with different morphologies (rhombicuboctahedral, cuboctahedral, truncated octahedral, and octahedral) have been successfully synthesized by a thermal decomposition approach. The Cu2 O@Ag polyhedral core–shell nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy, surface‐area analysis, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The XRD results confirm the presence of Cu2 O and silver in the Cu2 O@Ag samples. Electron microscopy studies prove the formation of a shell of silver nanoparticles on the polyhedral Cu2 O microcrystals. The diffuse reflectance spectra of the Cu2 O@Ag polyhedral core–shell nanoparticles show band‐gap absorption owing to Cu2 O as well as surface plasmon resonance owing to silver nanoparticles. The catalytic activities of the Cu2 O@Ag polyhedral core–shell nanoparticles were explored for the reductions of 4‐nitrophenol and methylene blue in aqueous solutions. The Cu2 O@Ag core–shell nanoparticles with octahedral morphology show higher catalytic activity than the other Cu2 O@Ag samples. The core–shell nanoparticles show a higher turnover frequency (TOF) and activity parameter ( k act ) for 4‐nitrophenol reduction and a higher apparent rate constant ( k app ) for methylene blue reduction compared to the previously reported values. The reusability of the Cu2 O@Ag polyhedral core–shell nanoparticles was also tested, and they show stability for up to five cycles without loss of efficiency. Abstract : Cu2 O@Ag polyhedral core–shell nanoparticles with various morphologies are synthesized by a thermal decomposition approach. The core–shell nanoparticles are explored as effective catalysts for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and methylene blue in aqueous solutions. They exhibit high turnover frequencies (TOFs), activity parameters ( k act ), and rate constants ( k app ).