Transformation of Au3M/SiO2 (M = Ni, Co, Fe) into Au–MO x /SiO2 Catalysts for the Reduction of p-Nitrophenol

Abstract Bimetallic Au 3 M (M = Ni, Co, Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by reducing a mixture of Au 3+ and metal cations (Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Fe 3+ ) by butyllithium in the presence of oleylamine. Au 3 M NPs were then deposited onto a commercial SiO 2 support. The Au 3 M/SiO 2 samples were not particularly active in the catalytic reduction of p -nitrophenol unless they were converted into Au–MO x /SiO 2 after appropriate thermal treatment in air. The Au–MO x /SiO 2 catalysts showed good thermal stability and significantly higher p -nitrophenol conversions than Au/SiO 2 . Relevant characterization was conducted employing X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Graphical Abstract