Reduction of 2,4-Dinitrophenol to 2,4-Diaminophenol Using AuNPs and AgNPs as Catalyst

In this study, colloidal metal nanoparticles have been prepared by the wet-chemical synthesis method. Gold and silver nanoparticles with approximate sphere shape were synthesized through the citrate-reduction method. The colloidal metal nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, photon cross-correlation spectroscopy (PCCS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Catalytic activities of the metal nanoparticles were investigated through reduction of 2,4-dinitrophenol to 2,4-diaminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 at room temperature. Both gold and silver nanoparticles showed an excellent catalytic activity.