Deposited Silver Nanoparticles on Commercial Copper by Galvanic Displacement as an Effective Catalyst for the Reduction of 4‑Nitrophenol in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Immobilization of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to improve recyclability is crucial for applications in nanocatalysts. Herein, silver nanoparticles were prepared on copper foil by immersing copper foil in the solution of silver citrate, containing an excess of citric acid. The nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), and atomic force microscope (AFM). The catalytic activity of silver nanoparticle on copper was studied in reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of excess borohydride. The catalyst can be easily recycled and showed excellent reusability as a conversion higher than 95% was achieved after 30 cycles. Thus, the preparation of nanoparticle aggregates on copper foil has been proven a feasible, straightforward, and effective protocol, which would facilitate the applications of Ag NPs in environmental control. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.