Compact Disc-Derived Nanocarbon-Supported Catalysts with Extreme Catalytic Activity

Advanced carbon–metal hybrid materials with controllable electronic and optical properties, as well as chemical reactivities, have attracted significant attention for emerging applications, including energy conversion and storage, catalysis and environmental protection. However, the commercialization of these materials is hampered by several vital problems, including energy-intensive synthesis and expensive chemicals, and inefficient control of their structures and properties. Herein, we report the simple and controllable engineering of nanocarbon–metal self-assembled silver nanocatalysts (SSNs) derived from polycarbonate (PC)-based optical discs using microplasmas under ambient conditions. The plasma-engineered catalysts exhibited controlled properties including surface functionalities, hydrophilicities, Ag⁺/Ag⁰ metallic states, and Ag loading. The synthesized catalysts leverage localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties, enabling enhanced catalytic activity for the rapid reduction of carcinogenic 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to the valuable pharmaceutical intermediate 4-aminophenol (4-AP), achieving a high reaction rate constant of 0.2 ± 0.0 s^–1 and completing the reduction in just 30 s. Demonstrating robust performance, the SSNs maintained up to 90% conversion efficiency after ten recycling cycles, underscoring their stability and reusability. This work not only presents an effective approach to upcycling optical disc waste, but also highlights the potential of plasma-engineered nanocatalysts in environmental remediation, offering a low-energy solution for high-efficiency pollutant reduction.