An electroless deposition technique for the synthesis of highly active and nano-sized Pd particles on silica nanosphere

A simple methodology to synthesize uniform and nano-sized Pd particles supported on silica support has been developed by the electroless deposition technique using Sn2+ ion, in which Pd precursor can be interacted directly with the Sn2+ ion, and subsequently transformed into Pd nanoparticles. Characterization by TEM analysis proved that the sizes of the Pd nanoparticles using the electroless deposition technique (eld-Pd/SiO2(Sn)) were quite uniform with smaller size compared with that prepared by the conventional impregnation method (imp-Pd/SiO2). Their catalytic applications for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene and the direct synthesis of H2O2 from H2 and O2 gases were investigated and it is demonstrated that eld-Pd/SiO2(Sn) prepared by the electroless deposition technique was shown to perform significantly better activity than the imp-Pd/SiO2 owing to its uniform and nano-sized Pd particles.

Graphical abstractPd/SiO2 catalysts prepared by (A) impregnation method and (B) electroless deposition method.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (190 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We employed electroless deposition for preparing Pd/SiO2 catalyst (eld-Pd/SiO2). ► The eld-Pd/SiO2 was compared with the catalyst prepared by impregnation (imp-Pd/SiO2). ► The size of Pd particles of eld-Pd/SiO2 was quiet uniform with smaller. ► The eld-Pd/SiO2 was shown to perform better activity than the imp-Pd/SiO2► The electroless deposition technique was proven to be a very attractive method.