Improving Hydrogenation of 4-Nitrophenol using Pd catalysts homogenously anchored on WN-TiO2: A synergistic interaction between WN and Pd nanoparticles

Abstract

Incorporating a suitable promoter or co-catalyst is an effective strategy to improving the catalytic properties of low-content Pd catalysts. Herein, we report a straightforward method for synthesizing WN-TiO2, characterized by uniformly dispersed WN nanoparticles (NPs), which involves utilizing the evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) process followed by nitridation. A polyol reduction method was employed to homogeneously anchor the Pd NPs on WN-TiO2 for the superior hydrogenation of lethal 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to important fine chemicals. In our set of catalysts, the 1.0 wt% Pd@WN-TiO2 exhibited remarkable catalytic conversions rate for the 4-NP hydrogenation. Comprehensive characterization techniques were utilized to examine the impact of the synthesis technique on the interfacial properties of Pd species and their catalytic activities. The exceptional conversion rates of the 1.0wt%Pd@WN-TiO2 catalyst are attributable to its unique nanostructural characteristics and the durable synergetic interaction arises between Pd NPs and WN, which improve the distribution of Pd NPs and develop the availability of surface exposed Pd (Pd0) entities.