Surfactant‐Exfoliated Highly Dispersive Pd‐Supported Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite as a Catalyst for Aerobic Aqueous Oxidations of Alcohols

Abstract

Abstract A pluronic P123 surfactant was employed in the exfoliation and stabilization of Pd 0 ‐supported graphene oxide (Pd NPs –GO; NPs=nanoparticles) nanosheets in aqueous solution during the oxidation of benzylic and aliphatic alcohols under aerobic conditions at 80 °C. Surfactants prevented the aggregation of Pd NPs –GO sheets at 80 °C under aqueous conditions and Pd NPs –GO/P123 adducts acted as a highly dispersive homogeneous‐like catalyst. The catalytic performance of the nanocomposite material was remarkably improved, being highly stable and reusable in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols for at least nine runs.