Super-hydrophobic yolk–shell nanostructure with enhanced catalytic performance in the reduction of hydrophobic nitroaromatic compounds

Abstract

A self-templating method to fabricate a super-hydrophobic yolk–shell nano-reactor was reported. Metal nanoparticles were encapsulated in the porous super-hydrophobic shell. This super-hydrophobic catalyst showed excellent performance in the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds in aqueous phase and a positive correlation was found between the reaction rate and the hydrophobicity of the substrate.