Pd@MIL-100(Fe) composite nanoparticles as efficient catalyst for reduction of 2/3/4-nitrophenol: Synergistic effect between Pd and MIL-100(Fe)

•Pd@MIL-100(Fe) composite was synthesized easily with uniform size and morphology.•The composite exhibits high activity for catalytic reduction of 2/3/4-nitrophenol.•The composite can be easily separated and reused for consecutive runs.

Pd@MIL-100(Fe) composite nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), powder X-ray diffraction analysis, nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and element mapping. Due to the local restriction or confinement effect of the unique pore/surface structure within the MIL-100(Fe) nanospheres, small Pd nanoparticle (4-6 nm) were obtained with high stability without using any surfactant as stabilizer. The as-synthesized Pd@MIL-100(Fe) composite nanoparticles were then employed for the catalytic reduction of 2/3/4-nitrophenol, which exhibiting high catalytic activity and recyclability attributed to the synergistic effect between Pd nanoparticles and MIL-100(Fe) nanospheres.

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