Well-defined palladium nanoparticles supported on siliceous mesocellular foam as heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of water

Abstract

Herein, we describe the use of Pd nanoparticles immobilized on an amino-functionalized siliceous mesocellular foam for the catalytic oxidation of H2O. The Pd nanocatalyst proved to be capable of mediating the four-electron oxidation of H2O to O2, both chemically and photochemically. The Pd nanocatalyst is easy to prepare and shows high chemical stability, low leaching, and recyclability. Together with its promising catalytic activity, these features make the Pd nanocatalyst of potential interest for future sustainable solar-fuel production.

Keywords: heterogeneous catalysis; mesoporous materials; nanoparticles; palladium; water splitting.