Interfacial Engineering of Pd Nanoparticles on Fe3O4–rGO Composite Support for High-Chemoselective Nitroaromatic Hydrogenation

Pd-based catalysts play a pivotal role in nitroaromatic hydrogenation for fine chemical synthesis, yet their intrinsic overactivity often undermines target selectivity. In this study, we develop a highly efficient and magnetically recoverable Pd/Fe3O4–rGO catalyst for nitroaromatic hydrogenation through dual-support interfacial engineering, realized by precisely anchoring Pd nanoparticles at the heterojunctions of ferrosoferric oxide and reduced graphene oxide (Fe3O4–rGO). The dual-support modulation effect not only ensures uniform Pd distribution via strong interfacial interaction but also drives directional charge transfer from Pd to the Fe3O4–rGO composite support, synergistically enhancing nitro group adsorption and optimizing H2 dissociation kinetics. The prepared Pd/Fe3O4–rGO catalyst achieves exceptional catalytic performance with 99% conversion and >97% selectivity for the chemoselective hydrogenation of diverse nitroaromatics under mild conditions while maintaining remarkable activity/selectivity over multiple cycles. Notably, the integrated Fe3O4 component facilitates efficient magnetic separation (<2 min), demonstrating industrial viability for continuous processes. This work provides a rational dual-support strategy that simultaneously regulates spatial configuration and electronic states of active sites to overcome the activity-selectivity trade-off in hydrogenation catalysis.