Ag(I)-Hived Fullerene Microcube as Enhanced Catalytic Substrate for Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol and Photo-degradation of Orange G Dye.

We report a facile approach to fabricate Ag-embedded fullerene (C60) catalyst by chemical reduction of AgNO3 complex encapsulated fullerene microcrystal, on which enhanced catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol was observed, because of strong absorption and propagation of H2 along the fullerene surface. With an aid of visible light radiation, photo-degradation of orange G dye is achieved, due to the formation of electron donor-acceptor dyad between Plasmon Ag nanostructures and fullerene molecules, which effectively offsets the "electron-hole" recombinant. Neither Ag nanoparticle nor fullerene crystal used in isolation could perform this chemical conversion, implicating that the metal/fullerene hybrid structure is imperative for pursuing catalytic reaction. The obtained Ag-embedded fullerene crystal is characterized by SEM, associated EDX imaging and XPS and demonstrates the present hybrid materials would add a supplemental member to a family of photocatalysts, towards the organic synthesis and wastewater remediation.