Synthesis and catalytic application of Pd/PdO/Fe3O4@polymer-like graphene quantum dots

A novel approach was achieved for growing citric acid towards polymer-like graphene quantum dots (PGQD) with high efficiency in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a base catalyst. This protocol is completely safe, simple, fast, and efficient by a bottom up strategy. Thermal treatment of a mixture containing citric acid with NaOH at 300 °C gave PGQD during 5 min. The reaction afforded a new heterogeneous catalyst, Pd/PdO/Fe₃O₄@PGQD, in the presence of Pd and Fe₃O₄. The magnetically recoverable catalyst showed high activity in the oxidation of alkylarenes and alcohols using H₂O₂ as a green oxidant at room temperature. Comparison of the results with previous reports showed the efficiency of the catalyst to have high turnover numbers in mild reaction conditions.