Synthesis of ultrafine AuPd bimetallic nanoparticles using a magnetite-cored poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer template and its sustainable catalysis of the Suzuki coupling reaction

Abstract

The poly(propyleneimine) PPI dendrimer with active amino groups and specific voids is an excellent template for the encapsulation and stabilization of size and shape-controlled metal nanoparticles. The magnetite-cored PPI dendrimer up to third generation was synthesized by a divergent method in our previous report. Bimetallic nanoparticles are more advantageous than monometallic nanoparticles in catalysis due to their synergistic effect between two metals, especially Au and Pd nanoparticles. Herein, we present the synthesis of highly monodispersed ultrafine AuPd bimetallic nanoparticles of size 3–6 nm using the magnetic-cored PPI dendrimer through a facile and convenient method without external stabilizers. The formation of the monodispersed bimetallic nanoparticles on the dendritic entity was confirmed through HRTEM, HRSEM, EDAX, XRD, XPS and VSM. The excellent structural behavior of the magnetic-cored PPI dendrimers proves their ability to encapsulate AuPd bimetallic nanoparticles, and also attain better dispersibility, stability, and improved efficacy compared to conventional dendrimer-encapsulated metal nanoparticles. Most predominantly, it was isolated by simple magnetic attraction. The AuPd@PPI@Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanomaterial was utilized as a potential green catalyst in the Suzuki coupling reaction under ambient reaction conditions with greater reactivity and stability. Coupling products were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. This material retained its catalytic activity in the coupling reaction for up to eight consecutive catalytic cycles.