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 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.