Synthesis of Ni-Pd decorated spindle-shape CeO2 for catalytic reduction of nitroarene

Abstract Facile single-step hydrothermal approach was developed for the synthesis of Ni and Pd decorated spindle-shape defected CeO2 catalyst for reduction of nitroarene compounds. A Ni-Pd/CeO2 catalyst showed superior activity toward nitroarene reduction than its nickel monometallic counterpart (Ni/CeO2). Addition of very small amount of Pd to Ni-CeO2 catalyst largely changed its morphology, size of active nanoparticles (NPs) as well as its catalytic activity. A synergy between active metals (Pd, Ni) and support (CeO2), strong metal-support interactions, ceria defect sites with high concentrations of Ce+3 and oxygen vacancy sites were suggested to promoting the superior activity of Ni-Pd/CeO2 compared to Ni/CeO2 catalyst.