Remarkable Enhancement of Catalytic Reduction of Nitrophenol Isomers by Decoration of Ni Nanosheets with Cu Species.

Herein, the catalytic reduction of isomers of nitrophenols (NPS) using Ni Cu nanostructures with different molar ratios is presented. Ni Cu catalysts are prepared using star-shaped Ni nanoparticles as seeds. The applied synthesis transforms Ni nanoparticles into sheet-like structures when Cu species are deposited on them. The bimetallic sheet-like Ni Cu nanostructures demonstrate high catalytic activity to reduce NP isomers concerning their monometallic counterparts. The contribution of the Cu species affects the catalytic reduction of the NPS isomers. For example, the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) depends on the Ni:Cu molar ratio: NiCu > Cu > NiCu > NiCu > NiCu > Ni. The NiCu catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity in the reduction of nitrophenol isomers 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) and 3-nitrophenol (3-NP), and the obtained results are comparable with those reported for noble-metal-based catalysts. The low-cost production of Ni Cu catalysts and their high catalytic stability and availability make them attractive for industrial applications.