Bimetallic Ag/Cu supported hollow SiO2 sphere drives the efficient hydrogenation of nitroarenes

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry 2021-05, Vol.297, p.122052, Article 122052
• Main Authors: Sun, Dongxiao, Yin, Zhengliang, Zeng, Weiting, Cao, Shunsheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bimetallic catalyst; Hollow SiO2; Hydrogenation; Nitroarenes
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2021.122052

Constructing a low-cost and efficient catalyst is of high importance toward the hydrogenation of nitroarenes. In this work, we design an Ag/Cu bimetallic catalyst by supporting Ag/Cu nanoparticles on the surface of hollow SiO2 sphere (HS–Ag/Cu), in which SiO2 acts as a support to disperse silver and copper nanoparticles due to its hydrophilic surface and chemical inertness, making it easier to decrease the aggregation of metal nanoparticles. Notably, the hollow/porous structure of SiO2 considerably drives the diffusion of reactants/products by decreasing diffusion limitation, leading to an enhanced catalytic activity toward the hydrogenation of nitroarenes than monometallic catalyst. Furthermore, corresponding aniline is almost quantitatively produced, indicating a significantly practical potential. Demonstrating the efficient hydrogenation mechanism of nitroarenes for bimetallic HS-Ag/Cu catalyst in the presence of sodium borohydride, which can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of bimetal and hollow/porous support. [Display omitted] •Bimetallic Ag/Cu supported hollow SiO2 sphere was prepared.•The HS-Ag/Cu exhibited an enhanced catalytic activity than monometallic counterparts.•Corresponding aniline is almost quantitatively produced toward the hydrogenation of nitroarene.•This work represents a new direction for constructing bimetallic catalysts by combining low-cost metal and porous support.