Ionic liquid-induced Pd aerogels with interface regulation for boosted catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials 2024-03, Vol.368, p.113027, Article 113027
• Main Authors: Sun, Ximei, Wang, Feirong, Wang, Jieqiong, Xiao, Hao, Kang, Qiang, Zeng, Yiqian, Yang, Qinglai, Tan, Xiaofeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1387-1811; 1873-3093
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2024.113027

Designing the robust catalysts with a self-supported open structure and engineering surface would be beneficial for promoting intrinsic activity, increasing active sites, and enhancing electron/mass transfer during catalysis. The metallic aerogels (MAs) with hierarchical porous nanostructures and pure metal skeleton could be a favorable platform for fabricating high-performance catalysts. The introduction of an interface engineering strategy causes beneficial structural and electronic properties of MAs. Herein, the ionic liquid (IL) induced metallic Pd aerogels with well-defined nanowires are developed for the efficient catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the presence of NH3BH3. The engineered IL-Pd aerogels exhibit the integrated advantages of exceptional catalytic activities (including a high k value of 31.2 × 10−2 s−1 and a high turnover frequency (TOF) of 320.4 h−1), acceptable costeffectiveness with a low NH3BH3 concentration (n[NH3BH3]/n[4-NP] of 120), remarkable cyclability, and noticeable longstanding stability. This work opens a new avenue for developing high-performance MAs with improved activity and durability. [Display omitted] •Ionic liquids were introduced to prepare the IL-Pd aerogels via self-assembly.•Ionic liquids regulates the IL-Pd aerogel's structural and electronic properties.•Steric hindrances of IL affected activity of IL-Pd aerogels by electron transfer.•The catalytic performance of IL-Pd aerogels is improved verses the commercial Pd/C.