One-Step Fabrication of Core-Shell-Structured Pd@NH2-UiO-66(Zr) with "Clean" Pd NPs for Synergistic Catalysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Catalysis

Background:

• Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer synergistic catalytic effects.
• Designing MNPs@MOF nanocomposites is key for multifunctional catalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a core-shell Pd@NH2-UiO-66(Zr) nanocomposite using a one-pot method.
• To investigate the catalytic performance of the Pd@NH2-UiO-66(Zr) nanocomposite in amine synthesis.

Main Methods:

• A one-pot reaction using a MOF precursor and Pd(NO3)2 in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF).
• DMF acted as both solvent and reducing agent for Pd2+ to Pd NPs.
• Characterization of the resulting Pd@NH2-UiO-66(Zr) core-shell nanocomposite.

Main Results:

• Formation of surfactant-free Pd NPs (ca. 3 nm) encapsulated within NH2-UiO-66(Zr).
• The MOF shell prevented Pd NP growth and aggregation.
• The nanocomposite exhibited outstanding performance in synthesizing secondary amines, particularly for large substrates.

Conclusions:

• The rational design of MNP/MOF nanocomposites is significant for multifunctional catalysis.
• The Pd@NH2-UiO-66(Zr) nanocomposite shows potential for light-initiated one-pot tandem/cascade reactions.