Precise synthesis of hollow IrCu alloy nanoparticles for hydrogenation of substituted nitroaromatics

Hollow structured nanoparticles exhibit unique capabilities for catalytic applications; however, the accurate synthesis of these particles and a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between their structure and performance remain considerable challenges. In this work, hollow IrCu alloy nanoparticles were synthesized through chemical reduction and electrochemical post-leaching processes. The carbon-supported IrCu bimetallic nanoparticles were then evaluated for hydrogenation of various nitroaromatics. The IrCu/C bimetallic catalysts demonstrated significant enhancement in catalytic activity and product selectivity compared to single-metal Ir catalysts. Theoretical calculations alongside experimental findings suggest that the notable improvement originates from both the hollow structure and the composition of the binary IrCu alloy, which synergistically optimize their electronic configurations as well as modify the hydrogenation reaction pathways. This research introduces an innovative approach for constructing hollow alloy structures as efficient and selective hydrogenation catalysts, which might also be applicable to various metal-based catalysts.