Electrochemical Deposition of Au/Ag Nanostructure for the Catalytic Reduction of p-Nitrophenol

Noble metal bimetallic nanostructures, such as Ag and Au, are used in a variety of fields including nanoscience, catalysis, electronics and nanotechnology because of high stability and adsorption rate etc. However controlled synthesis of bimetallic nanostructures is challenging. Therefore, the current study emphasizes on two step controlled synthesis of Au/Ag nanostructures with tunable sizes for catalytic purposes. Using electrochemical deposition (EC) technique, the fabrication of Au/Ag nanostructures were achieved in two stages, through galvanic reaction. The catalytic capabilities of an Au/Ag nanostructure and Ag flower-like structure were examined through reduction of p-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The catalytic investigation was measured in temperatures rage of 25 to 45 degrees C at constant time. The study shows that catalytic activity of Au/Ag nanostructure is higher than that of Ag flower-like structure in the reduction of p-nitrophenol.