Facile synthesis of Au nanoparticles supported on polyphosphazene functionalized carbon nanotubes for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with cyclotriphosphazene-containing polyphosphazenes (PZS) were found to cause the facile immobilization of Au nanoparticles on the surface. The PZS functional layers not only improved the dispersion of CNTs in aqueous solution but also used as a platform for subsequent immobilization of Au nanoparticles. The functionalized CNTs and the Au@PZS@CNTs nanohybrids were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Atomic absorption spectrum, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the PZS layers with thickness of about 25 nm were formed uniformly on CNT surfaces by polycondensation between hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene and 4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol, and that high density of homogeneously dispersed spherical Au nanoparticles with average size of 6 nm was immobilized on their outer surface. Meanwhile, the catalytic activity and reusability of the Au@PZS@CNTs nanohybrids were investigated by employing the reduction of 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol by NaBH₄ as a model reaction.