The development of high-efficient and low-cost catalysts is highly desirable in catalytic reaction. In this report, halloysite nanotubes were selected as suitable supports to confine metal nanoparticles on/in their outer/inner surface through electrostatic interaction, solving the aggregation and leaching problems of metal nanoparticles as well as isolating metal nanoparticles from the harsh external environment, which can boost the catalytic performance and stability of catalysts. Several methods, including molten-salt method, strong electrostatic interaction, and functionalization with PDDA/polydopamine etc. were utilized to modify halloysite nanotubes to increase the bonding between supports and metal nanoparticles. The prepared Pt/halloysite, PtNi/halloysite, CuCo/halloysite, Ag/halloysite and Pd/halloysite nanocatalysts were employed to catalyze ammonia borane and p-nitrophenol, and they all exhibited comparable catalytic performance. The catalytic stabilities were also increased. In addition, enzymes were immobilized onto halloysite nanotubes, which have better pH tolerance, storage stability, thermal stability and reusability compared with free enzymes. This work provides a new insight for the application of halloysite nanotubes in catalysis.

Confining metal nanoparticles on/in halloysite nanotubes as efficient catalysts

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.