Metallic nanoparticles have been the subject of intense research during recent years because of their potential use in catalysis. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized with diverse stabilizing organic shells in a quest for robustness. This work focuses on the preparation of water soluble gold-carbon nanoparticles (AuNP-COOH) and the investigation of their catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol using sodium borohydride. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized from diazonium gold(III) salts to give robust nanoparticles. Preliminary kinetic studies of these nanoparticles showed high catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol even with a low catalyst concentration with a very small induction time. The recycling study also showed a small depression in the rate constant in the reduction reaction.

Robust water soluble gold-carbon nanoparticles as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

256th National Meeting (2018)

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