Pd supported on graphene modified g-C3N4 hybrid: a highly efficient catalyst for hydrogenation of nitroarenes

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and graphene (GO) have been greatly utilized as supports in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. In this work, layered C₃N₄ polymer/graphene hybrid (CNNS/rGO₂₀) with heterostructure was fabricated by a hydrothermal method followed by loading Pd nanoparticles on the hybrid. The palladium was well dispersed uniformly (1.31 nm) owing to the layered and porous heterostructure of CNNS/rGO₂₀. The obtained catalyst was used for the transfer hydrogenation of a series of nitro-compounds to give the corresponding aromatic amines with outstanding activity by employing formic acid as hydrogen donor under mild conditions. The catalytic activity of the heterogeneous catalyst showed no significant loss after five continuous use.