Cu/Cu2O/rGO nanocomposites: solid-state self-reduction synthesis and catalytic activity for p-nitrophenol reduction. (15th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Yuehong; Liu, Baolin; Li, Yizhao; Chen, Zixi; Cao, Yali; Jia, Dianzeng
• Is Part Of: New journal of chemistry. Volume 43:Number 30(2019)
• Page Start: 12118
• Page End: 12125
• Publication Date: 2019-07-15
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie -- Périodiques; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c9nj02768h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1144-0546

Abstract

Abstract : Cu/Cu2 O/rGO nanocomposites were produced via a solid-state self-reduction route with high catalytic performance for 4-NP reduction. Abstract : Development of non-noble metal catalysts for the reduction of p -nitrophenol (4-NP) has been the focus of research interest over the last couple of years. Herein, Cu-based nanocomposites supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were successfully synthesized via a solid-state self-reduction, which is a pathway involving cuprous chloride, sodium hydroxide, and graphene oxide. The Cu2 O/rGO and Cu/Cu2 O/rGO composites were obtained upon heat treatment of the Cu2 O/CuO/rGO nanocomposites, which shows that rGO favours the generation of Cu 0 species and a high dispersion of Cu-based nanoparticles on the surface. The Cu-based nanocomposites were applied to the catalytic reduction of 4-NP into p -aminophenol (4-AP) in aqueous solution. The results demonstrated that 4-NP was completely converted in 6 min (0.04 mg mL −1 catalyst, 1 mM 4-NP, and 2 mM NaBH4 ) in the presence of the Cu/Cu2 O/rGO nanocomposites. The apparent activation energy of the Cu/Cu2 O/rGO nanocomposites for the reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP was calculated as 24.94 kJ mol −1 by using the Arrhenius plot. The good catalytic property can be ascribed to the intense interaction and more electron transfer among Cu 0, Cu +, and rGO. This work puts forward a clean and environmentally friendly avenue for the exploitation of supported metal oxide nanocatalysts with outstanding performance.