Ultrafine Gold Nanoparticles Anchored on Pyridine-Inner-Functionalized Hollow Porous Organic Nanospheres for Highly Efficient Heterogeneous Catalysis

The development of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) loaded on porous materials with high efficiency and stability is significant importance for heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, ultrafine Au NPs are prepared and anchored on hollow porous organic nanospheres (Au@HPONs) with polylactide-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine)-b-polystyrene (PLA-b-P4VP-b-PS) triblock copolymers as precursors and pyridine as the coordination group. In this strategy, pyridine functional groups can coordinate with the Au NPs and uniformly disperse them in the carrier. Due to its hollow porous structure, high specific surface area, and physicochemical stability, the obtained Au@HPONs nanocomposite shows excellent catalytic performance and cycling ability for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.