Self-assembled palladium–organic composite nanofibers and their applications as a recyclable catalyst

Abstract

We report the formation of palladium nanoparticle (PdNP)–lithocholic acid (LCA) composite nanofibers by the self-assembly of Pd²⁺-coordinated LCA molecules and an ex situ reduction. The ex situ reduction by sodium borohydride or ascorbic acid produces the composite nanofibers with PdNPs grown on the surface of LCA nanofibers. The catalytic activity of the PdNP–LCA composite nanofibers in the decolourization of 4-phenyl azo benzoic acid is investigated. We find that the composite nanofibers can be recycled without significantly losing their catalytic activities.