Porous nanopeapod Pd catalyst with excellent stability and efficiency.

Porous Pd@m-C/SiO2 nanopeapods are prepared by a nanoconfinement method. The Pd nanoparticles show high efficiency and stability in chemical reactions such as reduction of nitrobenzene by H2 and reduction of NO by NH3. The high catalytic activity is attributed to the unique peapod structure, mesoporous wall, and large specific surface area on Pd@m-C/SiO2 rendering the Pd nanoparticles highly active in chemical reactions.