Catalytic activity of the noble metal nanoparticles

Abstract

Noble metal nanoparticles are excellent catalysts for many industrial important reactions. Because heterogenous catalysis is dependent strongly on the surface of catalyst the nanomaterials are better catalysts in comparison with the bulk materials. However, it is important for optimization of the effectivity of catalytic process to have a comparison of the nanostructured catalysts of different nature for application in the particular reaction. As a model for this process was conducted primary testing of catalytic activity of five noble metal nanoparticles (Ru, Rh, Os, Ir, Pt) in redox reaction (reduction of 4-nitrophenol by the borohydride). It is interesting that for this model reaction the best catalyst is rhodium with the shortest induction period and fastest main part of the reaction course. On the other hand, platinum nanoparticles are not the best catalyst for the studied model reaction.