Graphene oxide in palladium nanoparticle (GrafeoPlad): A new class of functional materials

Water-soluble graphene oxide was encapsulated within the lattice of Pd nanoparticles using Zn as reducing agent affording a completely new class of functional materials dubbed herein “GrafeoPlad” for designating platinum-group metals doped with 3D entrapped graphene oxide. The first application of this new metal-organic alloy reported herein is in catalysis to convert nitrobenzene to analine with hydrazine as reducing agent at room temperature. GrafeoPlad-Pd is significantly more stable than Pd black showing that the entrapment of GO molecules in the nanoparticle lattice largely improves both its catalytic activity and stability against catalytic deactivation. This new class of hybrid materials may open practically relevant new avenues in many areas of today's material science and technology.