Electrochemical study of nitrobenzene reduction on galvanically replaced nanoscale Fe/Au particles

Nanoscale Fe/Au particles were fabricated on glassy carbon substrates by electrodeposition of Fe and the subsequent galvanic replacement with Au. The particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and a hollow structure was found. The process and mechanism of electrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene on Fe/Au particles were studied by cyclic voltammetry and constant-potential electrolysis. The results showed that nanoscale Fe/Au particles exhibited higher catalytic activity than bulk gold for nitrobenzene reduction. Nitrobenzene reduction proceeded following different pathways with different electrolyte compositions. The removal rate of nitrobenzene on nanoscale Fe/Au particles was up to 97% with electrolysis within 120 min at -0.35 V in 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) and aniline was found to be the electrolysis product.