A set of catalysts having gold nanoparticles deposited on γ-Al2O3 (Au/γ-Al2O3) with lowest effective amount of gold content were prepared by successive impregnation and hydrogen reduction method. The structural features of prepared catalysts were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The catalytic activity was evaluated for the reduction of an organic pollutant 4-nitrophenol (4NP) to 4-aminophenol (4AP) by spectrophotometric analysis. Supported catalyst presented excellent catalytic ability to convert 4NP to 4AP in the presence of sodium borohydride (SBH) due to synergistic effect of Au NPs and mesoporous γ-Al2O3 support. |
