In situ generation of supported palladium nanoparticles from a Pd/Sn/S chalcogel and applications in 4-nitrophenol reduction and Suzuki coupling

Abstract

Supported ultrafine palladium nanoparticles with uniform distribution exhibit remarkable catalytic capabilities in various applications. Obtaining size-controlled Pd nanoparticles on a support remains challenging and here we present a one-step in situ route to well-defined Pd nanoparticles through reduction of a Pd-containing chalcogel (Pd/Sn/S) with tunable size distribution. The spacings of the Pd nanoparticles on the chalcogel can be controlled by using antimony-containing chalcogels (Pd–Sb/Sn/S). The catalytic performance of Pd nanoparticles supported on the chalcogel surface was assessed in 4-nitrophenol reduction and the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction, and found to exhibit good activities and robust stability. This in situ and one-step synthetic method could be further extended to synthesize a series of noble metal nanoparticles for a variety of applications.