Abstract Zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanosheets were synthesized and modified with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBA) to form ZrP nanosheets. The ZrP nanosheet surface was modified with organosilane N1-(3- trimethoxysilylpropyl) diethylene triamine molecules… Click to show full abstract
Abstract Zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanosheets were synthesized and modified with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBA) to form ZrP nanosheets. The ZrP nanosheet surface was modified with organosilane N1-(3- trimethoxysilylpropyl) diethylene triamine molecules to generate an amine-terminated surface that prevents the aggregation of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs). These Au NPs anchor to ZrP in a single, highdensity layer through their affinity for the amino functional groups to produce a Au/ZrP composite catalyst. Structure confirmation and characterization were performed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, field-emission transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The Au/ZrP composites demonstrated excellent performance and stability as catalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) within 180 s. These composites have potential for industrial applications where separation and recycling are imperative.
               
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