Ultra-low-loading Pd@PANI nanocomposites (0.048 w.t% Pd) were synthesized via a method that combined interfacial polymerization and in situ composite with camphor sulfonic acid ((+)-CSA) as a dopant. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed to characterize the structures. It can be used as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes in aqueous solution by using a smaller amount of NaBH 4 (2.5 equiv.) at room temperature with high activity (TON = 3.4 × 10 3 ), good stability (cycled eight times), as well as wide applicability (27 substrates). The catalyst also showed a marvelous activity in the gram-level reaction (yield = 92%). UV-Visible spectrophotometry was used to investigate the reaction kinetics for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol, and the results reconfirmed the excellent performance of the catalyst. The unique properties and superior performance of the prepared ultra-low-loading Pd@PANI nanocomposites lead it be an attractive alternative catalyst for conventional organic catalytic applications.
KEYWORDScatalytic performance, palladium nanoparticle, polyaniline, reduction of nitroarenes in water, reused for multiple cycles