Tunable synthesis of Pd/COF-LZU1 for efficient catalysis in nitrophenol reduction

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are emerging novel catalyst carrier. In this work, Pd/COF-LZU1 was one-pot prepared by p-phenylenediamine (PDA), triformylbenzene (TFB), and palladium acetate (Pd(OAc)2) under the catalysis of acetic acid (HAc). The effects of HAc concentration on the Pd/COF-LZU1 particle size, Pd loading, and catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) were investigated. It was found that, with the increased HAc concentration, the Pd/COF-LZU1 particle size reduced, and Pd loading and catalytic activity displayed maximum for 3 mol L−1 HAc. The catalytic reduction of 4-NP can be described by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, and the rate constant is 20 times higher than that of palladium acetate. Pd/COF-LZU1 also showed excellent stability and reusability, demonstrating great potential in catalytic reduction reactions.