Dual functional catalysis of [Nb6O19]8−-modified Au/Al2O3

Abstract

A catalyst prepared by modifying the surface of Au nanoparticles (NPs) on Al₂O₃ with [Nb₆O₁₉]⁸⁻ clusters had specific base and reduction abilities, and the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol using H₂ as a reductant proceeded efficiently with the dual functional catalyst. At the interface between Au NPs and basic [Nb₆O₁₉]⁸⁻, heterolytically cleaved hydrogen species are generated, which can efficiently react with nitrophenolate ions generated by base catalysis. Moreover, this surface modification strategy was applicable to the reduction of other nitro compounds.