AgNi/PC bimetallic and AgNi/PC@Mn trimetallic nanocatalysts for the efficient reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Catalytic efficiency in hydrogenation reactions can be increased due to the stability achieved with nanomaterials prepared by homogeneously immobilizing multiple metal nanoparticles onto porous solid materials. Herein, porous carbon (PC)-supported bimetallic (AgNi/PC) and trimetallic nanoparticles (AgNi/PC@Mn) were developed and evaluated as catalysts in the NaBH4-mediated reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. AgNi/PC@Mn catalysts were synthesized using a two-step synthesis strategy. The highest and excellent catalytic efficiency under ambient conditions was obtained by the trimetallic catalyst. Both catalysts proved to be easily separated from the reaction medium and usable for up to five consecutive cycles without losing their catalytic activity.