Synthesis and basic catalytic application of Pd nanoparticles supported on 3D nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide

Palladium nanoparticles with small size were synthesized and immobilized on three-dimensional nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (3D-NrGO) via a hydrothermal process. The resulting 3D-NrGO/Pd composite was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption. The Suzuki reaction was used to demonstrate the catalytic efficiency. The catalytic activity was excellent, due to the large surface area (up to 579 m2 g−1) and small size of the Pd nanoparticles (average of 6 nm). Additionally, the catalyst could be readily recovered via simple filtration and reused for at least 5 consecutive cycles without loss in its activity.