Morphology-controlled Pd nanocrystals as catalysts in tandem dehydrogenation-hydrogenation reactions

Abstract

Abstract: A facile synthetic protocol was used to prepare morphology controlled Pd nanocrystals with spherical and cubic shapes of different sizes. Carbon-supported catalysts were prepared from the as-synthesised nanocrystals and their catalytic ability in a tandem dehydrogenation/hydrogenation reaction composed by the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane, serving as a hydrogen source, and the subsequent hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) was assessed. The catalytic performance was strongly dependent on the nanocrystals morphology and the spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 5.5 nm displayed the best performance among investigated. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT : Synopsis: Colloidal synthesis was used to prepare morphology-controlled Pd nanocrystals with spherical and cubic shapes and different sizes. They were loaded on a carbon support and tested in a tandem dehydrogenation/hydrogenation reaction based on the hydrogen production from NH 3BH 3 and hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol. The catalytic activity was dependent on the nanocrystal morphology. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].