Heterogeneous catalyst of porous anodic aluminum oxide with Al substrate supported metal nanoparticles

Porous anodic aluminum oxide with Al substrate (AAO@Al) supported metal nanoparticles (Pd, Cu, Ag) was synthesized by a facile pyrolysis method. The synthesized metal nanoparticles displayed homogeneous dispersion into the AAO. Pd/AAO@Al was characterized in detail using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Metal nanoparticles immobilized on ordered porous solid materials are not prone to leak and can provide more active sites for catalytic activity. Pd/AAO@Al as heterogeneous catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity for Suzuki cross-coupling reactions and the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol. The metal nanoparticles supported on solid sheets could be separated and recovered from reaction solutions easily just by taking out of the sheets. The construction of solid sheets supported metal catalysts is expected to be a promising catalysts systems for heterogeneous catalysis application. •Porous anodic aluminum oxide with Al substrate (AAO@Al) supported metal nanoparticles (Pd, Cu, Ag) as solid sheet catalysts.•Pd/AAO@Al as heterogeneous catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity.•The catalyst can be readily recovered and reused just by taking out of reaction solution.