Catalytic Activity for Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol with [C60]Fullerene Nanowhisker-Silver Nanoparticle Composites

Silver nanoparticle solution was prepared by the addition of silver nitrate (AgNO3), trisodium citrate dihydrate (C6H5Na3O7 center dot 2H(2)O), sodium borohydride (NaBH4), cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (C16H33)N(CH3)(3)Br), and ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) which was subsequently added to distilled water. The resulting solution was subjected to ultrasonic irradiation for 3 h. [C-60]fullerene nanowhisker-silver nanoparticle composites were prepared using C-60-saturated toluene, silver nanoparticle solution, and isopropyl alcohol by the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method. The product of [C-60]fullerene nanowhisker-silver nanoparticle composites was continued by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The activity of [C-60]fullerene nanowhisker-silver nanoparticle composites as a catalyst was characterized by the reduction of 4-nitrophenol by LIV-vis spectroscopy.