Synthesis and basic catalytic application of Pd nanoparticles supported on 3D nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide

Palladium nanoparticles with small size were synthesized and immobilized on three-dimensional nitrogendoped reduced graphene oxide (3D-NrGO) via a hydrothermal process. The resulting 3D-NrGO/Pd composite was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N-2 adsorption. The Suzuki reaction was used to demonstrate the catalytic efficiency. The catalytic activity was excellent, due to the large surface area (up to 579 m(2) g (1)) and small size of the Pd nanoparticles (average of 6 nm). Additionally, the catalyst could be readily recovered via simple filtration and reused for at least 5 consecutive cycles without loss in its activity.