Synthesis and catalytic investigation of organophilic Pd/graphite oxide nanocomposites

Low-loaded, organophilic Pd/graphite oxide (Pd/GO) nanocomposites were synthesized from different Pd complex precursors by applying graphite oxide as a host material and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C14TAB) as a stabilizer. Structural investigation of the Pd/GO samples was performed by ICP-AES, XRD, N2 sorption and TEM measurements. It was found that monodispersed Pd nanoparticles were formed, ranging in size between 1 and 6 nm, both on the external surface and in the interlamellar space of GO. The samples proved to be highly active and selective catalysts for liquid-phase alkyne hydrogenations. The variation in the catalytic performances was attributed to the difference in the amount of interlamellar Pd particles, which participated in the reactions as active sites.

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