PdCu alloy prepared by ultrasonic method catalyzes the degradation of p-nitrophenol

PdCu alloy nanocatalysts supported on NiFe layered double hydroxide (PdCu-LDHs) were prepared by a green ultrasound-assisted reduction method. The cavitation effect of ultrasound made part of CO₃^2- decompose to CO₂, and NO₃^- and Cl^- replace intercalation, which anchor the PdCu between layers. The action of ultrasound dissociated hydroxyl groups (-OH) on surface of LDHs to H· to reduce Cu²⁺ and Pd²⁺ to Cu⁰ and Pd⁰ and Cu promote the synergy between Pd alloy and LDHs. The electronic effects between Cu and Pd improved the catalytic performance for the reduction reaction of 4-NP and the stability of PdCu-LDHs. The PdCu-LDHs prepared at 400 W, 25 kHz, 1 h, can completely degrade p-nitrophenol (4-NP) within 5 min with n(4-NP)/n(Pd) = 50 and n(4-NP)/n(NaBH₄) = 0.15. The TOF value is 988.20 h^-1, which is 27.7 times that of Pd/C catalyst (commercial).