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Hierarchical plasmonic-metal/semiconductor micro/nanostructures: green synthesis and application in catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol

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Abstract

Hierarchical micro/nano arrays can offer both the advantages of nano-sized building blocks and micro- or submicrometer-sized ordered arrays, therefore representing one kind of potential functional materials and having received enormous attention for a wealth of applications. In this study, four-dimensionally flower-like CuO micro/nanostructures decorated by Au nanoparticles are synthesized via an environmentally friendly route assisted by polyethylene glycol. Experiments reveal that the product demonstrates high catalytic performance for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol using NaBH4 as the reducing agent, which could be attributed to the rich Au/CuO interfaces in the samples. Compared to the pure noble metal catalysts, the obtained sample is quite economic. In terms of methodology and cost-effectiveness, this study proposes an economically useful and green method to produce a highly efficient metal-based catalyst. It is also a good example for the organic combination of green chemistry and functional materials.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the editor and referees for their constructive comments and suggestions. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21071047), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET), the Project Sponsored by the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry of China, Excellent Youth Foundation of He’nan Scientific Committee, and the Program for Science & Technology Innovation Talents in Universities of Henan Province (2011HASTIT010).

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  1. College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Street, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People’s Republic of China

    Shuyan Gao, Xiaoxia Jia, Zhengdao Li & Yanli Chen

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  1. Shuyan Gao
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  2. Xiaoxia Jia
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  3. Zhengdao Li
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Correspondence to Shuyan Gao.

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Gao, S., Jia, X., Li, Z. et al. Hierarchical plasmonic-metal/semiconductor micro/nanostructures: green synthesis and application in catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol. J Nanopart Res 14, 748 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-0748-1

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