Kinetically controlled synthesis of atomically precise Ag nanoclusters for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Xian-hu Liu; Fei-hong Wang; Cong-ying Shao; Gang-feng Du; Bing-qing Yao

doi:10.1007/s12613-020-2186-x

Volume 28 Issue 10

Oct. 2021

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2021 > 28(10): 1716-1725

Xian-hu Liu, Fei-hong Wang, Cong-ying Shao, Gang-feng Du, and Bing-qing Yao, Kinetically controlled synthesis of atomically precise Ag nanoclusters for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 28(2021), No. 10, pp. 1716-1725. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-020-2186-x

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Xian-hu Liu, Fei-hong Wang, Cong-ying Shao, Gang-feng Du, and Bing-qing Yao, Kinetically controlled synthesis of atomically precise Ag nanoclusters for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 28(2021), No. 10, pp. 1716-1725. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-020-2186-x

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Research Article

Kinetically controlled synthesis of atomically precise Ag nanoclusters for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

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Corresponding author:
Xian-hu Liu E-mail: liuxhv@126.com
Received: 3 August 2020; Revised: 3 September 2020; Accepted: 4 September 2020; Available online: 5 September 2020

Abstract

Abstract

Synthesizing atomically precise Ag nanoclusters (NCs), which is essential for the general development of NCs, is quite challenging. In this study, we report the synthesis of high-purity atomically precise Ag NCs via a kinetically controlled strategy. The Ag NCs were prepared using a mild reducing agent via a one-pot method. The as-prepared Ag NCs were confirmed to be Ag₄₉(D-pen)₂₄ (D-pen: D-penicillamine) on the basis of their matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric and thermogravimetric characteristics. The interfacial structures of the Ag NCs were illustrated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The Ag NCs were supported on activated carbon (AC) to form Ag NCs/AC, which displayed excellent activity for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol with a kinetic reaction rate constant k of 0.21 min⁻¹. Such a high k value indicates that the composite could outperform several previously reported catalysts. Moreover, the catalytic activity of Ag NCs/AC remained nearly constant after six times of recycle, which suggests its excellent stability.
- Ag nanoclusters;
- D-penicillamine;
- sodium cyanoborohydride;
- catalysis;
- 4-nitrophenol

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