Highly stable silver nanowire films decorated with gold nanoparticles for nitrophenol reduction revealed by 2D correlation spectroscopy

A facile strategy to fabricate AgNW films decorated with AuNPs via filtration. • AuNP coating enhances mechanical and chemical stability of AgNW films. • Optimized film has efficient nitrophenol reduction monitored by absorption spectra. • 2D-COS analysis reveals reaction pathway and electron transfer mechanism. To fabricate silver nanowire (AgNW) films with high efficiency and stability in the catalytic reduction remains a major challenge. Herein, a facile strategy to fabricate AgNW films decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was demonstrated via vacuum filtration with thermal treatment. The results show that AuNPs are densely deposited onto the AgNWs and significantly enhance the mechanical and chemical stability. The optimized film (AgNWs:AuNPs volume ratio = 1:2) achieves an apparent rate constant of 0.17 min −1 for 2-nitrophenol reduction and retains 94.8% of its initial activity after ten consecutive cycles monitored by absorption spectra. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy analysis further elucidates the reaction pathway, the sequential order of intermediate generation and consumption during the catalytic reduction. Spontaneous electron transfer enriches electrons on the AuNPs surface promotes the generation of active hydrogen species and accelerates catalytic reduction. This work provides a facile fabrication platform for high-performance AgNW films and provides deeper insight into hydrogen enrichment catalysis for sustainable wastewater treatment. Download: Download high-res image (182KB) Download: Download full-size image