A Sb2Se3/Palygorskite Nanocomposite Catalyst for p-Nitrophenol Reduction

A nanocomposite consisting of rod-like Sb 2 Se 3 and fiberous palygorskite (Pal) was prepared using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a pillaring agent to change Pal microstructure. CTAB optimal dosage was 0.2[Formula: see text]g (versus 0.388[Formula: see text]g of Pal). Sb 2 Se 3 /Pal has a high catalytic activity towards the catalytic reduction of [Formula: see text]-nitrophenol to [Formula: see text]-aminophenol while in the presence of NaBH 4 at room temperature. The excellent performance is attributed to dispersion of rod-like Sb 2 Se 3 in fiberous Pal which promoted more active sites exposure. The results provide new ideas for preparing new catalysts.