Enhanced Catalytic Activity for CO Oxidation by Highly Active Pd Nanoparticles Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide/Copper Metal Organic Framework

As a result of the increase in industrial activities and the extensive use of automobiles, air pollutants, espe-cially carbon monoxide, reach the alarm level. The removal of carbon monoxide through oxidation is still oneof the best tactics so far. Therefore, looking for an active and durable catalyst is considered the key factor forimproving the oxidation process. In this work, Pd nanoparticles (1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 wt.%) were supported ontoreduced graphene oxide / copper metal organic framework nanocomposite (rGO@Cu-BTC) through one potsolvothermal synthesis method. The catalysts were thoroughly characterized by state-of-the-art techniquessuch as XPS, SEM, TEM, XRD, N2physisorption, and FT-IR. The results revealed that the Pd nanoparticleswere exceptionally dispersed on rGO@Cu-BTC nanocomposite surface and the Cu-BTC crystals showed excel-lent octahedral structure with smooth edges as indicated SEM images. The results revealed that 3.0 wt. % Pd/rGO@Cu-BTC acts as an excellent catalyst in the CO oxidation as indicated by T50and T100values of 71 and82 degrees C, respectively. Additionally, the results showed that rGO has a vital role in the dispersion of Pd NPs onthe catalyst surface as well as the presence of surface oxygen groups, which yields higher catalytic activitycompared with the catalyst without rGO. (c) 2021 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserve