Stabilizer substitution and its effect on the hydrogenation catalysis by Au nanoparticles from colloidal synthesis

Au nanoparticles (NPs) carrying different stabilizers (PVP, PVA and CTAB) were prepared by stabilizer-exchange of freshly prepared citrate (Citr)-stabilized Au NPs (Au-Citr) with the substitute stabilizers, respectively. The stabilizer substitutions were monitored with UV-vis spectroscopy and the resultant Au particles were further characterized with FTIR and TEM after they were immobilized on a SiO2 support. Measurements of the catalytic performance of the immobilized Au NPs for the hydrogenation reactions of p-chloronitrobenzene and cinnamaldehyde enabled us to address the impact of stabilizer substitution on the hydrogenation catalysis of Au NPs.