Palladium/ melamine-based porous network thin film at oil/water interface as effective catalyst for reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol and dye degradation

Melamine-based porous network was prepared by the strong binding ability of amino functional groups of melamine with Pd(0) surface and pre-polymerization at the oil-water interface that confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Palladium nanoparticles not only stimulate the pre-polymerization, but also stabilize themselves by this porous structure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis of X-ray and thermal gravimetric analysis were applied for the catalyst characterization. The as-prepared catalyst forms an inclusion complex according to the host-guest chemistry in the presence of nitrophenols or different dyes. An efficient catalytic activity of this catalyst is due to the entrapment of the guest molecule in the cavity of the mesoporous structure and reaction progress on the Pd(0) nanoparticles surfaces which was approved by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Simple preparation, unique structure and high catalytic reaction rate are some of the considerable advantages of this catalyst that can play key roles in the industrial processes.