Evaluation of the catalytic activity of the composite track-etched membranes for p-nitrophenol reduction reaction

The catalytic properties of composite materials produced by electroless deposition of gold and silver into nanosized channels of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track-etched membranes (TeMs) have been addressed. Applying the activation solution with sodium potassium tartrate as a reducing agent makes it possible to prepare PET/Ag/Au composites. The dimension (wall thickness), the structure, and the composition of the deposited metallic nanotubes have been determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray diffraction analysis. Liquid-phase reduction of p-nitrophenol as a model system has been used to examine the catalytic activity of the composites, and catalytic ability has been studied as a function of the nanotube wall thickness. It has been found that the mixed PET/Ag/Au composite can mediate the reaction to the most complete extent at the highest rate, with the catalytic activity remaining quite high for five consecutive test cycles.